Warner Music Entertainment to use AI technology to recreate Piaf’s voice and image, and power animated biopic, EDITH
Warner Music has partnered with the Estate of legendary French artist, Edith Piaf, on innovative and groundbreaking AI technology which will recreate her voice and image. Warner Music Entertainment and production company, Seriously Happy, will develop the first animated biopic of an artist using AI and will tell Piaf’s incredible story of how she overcame struggles to become a symbol of female empowerment and one of France’s most iconic artists of all time.
AI technology trained on hundreds of voice clips and images, some of which are over 80 years old, will allow for Piaf’s distinct voice and image to be revived to further enhance the authenticity and emotional impact of her story. Recordings from her original songs will be used, including iconic hits such as “La Vie en rose” and “Non, je ne regrette rien”.
EDITH is set to be a 90-minute film which will take place in the cities of Paris and New York from the 1920s to 1960s. The film will be narrated by Piaf’s voice and will uncover aspects of her life that were previously unknown – showcasing her indomitable spirit, personal achievements, and incredible performances. Animation will provide a modern take on her story, while the inclusion of archival footage, stage and TV performances, personal footage, and TV interviews will provide audiences with an authentic look at the significant moments of Piaf’s life.
EDITH is based on an original idea from Julie Veille and has been written by Veille and Gilles Marliac. The pair are working alongside Warner Music Entertainment’s President, Charlie Cohen, to bring the script and technology to life through the full-length feature.
Edith Piaf is a global legend, whose music is still enjoyed by millions of people around the world. In recent years, her songs have been used in blockbuster movies, international series, global advertising campaigns, and they have generated nearly 300 million streams to date. Piaf not only remains a musical icon, but she serves as an example of someone who fearlessly defied societal norms, becoming one of the strongest symbols of female empowerment to date. Thanks to state-of-the-art technology, her real journey can finally be told in her own voice.
Julie Veille commented: “It has been the greatest privilege to work alongside Edith’s Estate to help bring her story into the 21st century. When creating the film, we kept asking ourselves, ‘if Edith were still with us, what messages would she want to convey to the younger generations?’ Her story is one of incredible resilience, of overcoming struggles, and defying social norms to achieve greatness – and one that is as relevant now as it was then. Our goal is to utilize the latest advancements in animation and technology to bring the timeless story to audiences of all ages.”
Catherine Glavas and Christie Laume, Executors of Edith Piaf’s Estate, said: “It’s been a special and touching experience to be able to hear Edith’s voice once again – the technology has made it feel like we were back in the room with her. The animation is beautiful and through this film we’ll be able to show the real side of Edith – her joyful personality, her humour, and her unwavering spirit.”
Alain Veille, CEO, Warner Music France, added: “Edith is one of France’s greatest ever artists and she is still a source of so much pride to the French people. It is such a delicate balancing act when combining new technology with heritage artists, and it was imperative to us that we worked closely with Edith’s estate and handled this project with the utmost respect. Her story is one that deserves to be told, and through this film we’ll be able to connect with a whole new audience and inspire a new generation of fans.”
A proof of concept has been created, and Warner Music Entertainment will be partnering with a studio to develop the full-length film.
