Warner Music and the heirs of French singer Edith Piaf are developing a cutting-edge animated biopic of her life using artificial intelligence.
The project, presently in the final stages of development, is aptly named 'Edith'. No release date has been announced yet. The development has primarily relied on internally-used images, according to representatives of Warner Music France.
This innovative technological endeavour aims to recreate Piaf's voice and image by using artificial intelligence. The initiative arrives on the eve of the 60th anniversary of the singer's death in 2023, famously known for her hit 'Non, je ne regrette rien'.
Recently, AI's use in music production has soared, being utilised in unauthorised ways to create tracks featuring artists such as Drake and The Weeknd without their consent. The technology stepped up further with the recent release of an officially new Beatles track.
In 'Edith', the bespoke AI technology – trained on hundreds of vocal clips and images, some over 80 years old – will revitalise Piaf's distinctive voice and image. The objective is to reinforce the authenticity and emotional resonance of her story, the press release revealed. Original recordings of Piaf's most popular songs will also be integrated.
The 90-minute film will encompass Piaf's life from the 1920s to 1960s in Paris and New York. Narrated by the iconic singer herself, the film aims to uncover unseen facets of her life, as per the announcement.
