Legendary French singer Edith Piaf, who passed away over 60 years ago, is set to be brought back to life in a new biopic that uses AI to recreate both her voice and image.
Warner Music Group has revealed its collaboration with Piaf's estate for a 90-minute film titled "Edith," capturing the period from the 1920s to the '60s in Paris and New York. The AI-generated voice of Piaf will narrate the film, promising to unveil previously undisclosed aspects of her life.
The project, in partnership with production company Seriously Happy and AI voice-cloning platform Respeecher, aims to provide a modern perspective on Piaf's story using animation, supplemented by archival footage, stage performances, TV appearances, personal clips, and interviews. Warner Music Entertainment plans to develop the full-length film after creating a proof of concept.
"The opportunity to breathe life into Edith Piaf's story through AI technology is a profound honor for Respeecher. This project goes beyond mere voice recreation; it's about weaving the essence of Edith Piaf's artistry and her emotional depth into a narrative that resonates across time. It is a testament to the power of voice cloning technology to celebrate cultural icons in a respectful, authentic manner. As we embark on this journey to narrate 'Edith,' we are committed to ensuring that every note and every word channeled through AI not only captures Piaf's unique voice but also the spirit and passion she poured into her life and music," shares Alex Serdiuk, Respeecher co-founder and CEO, in an email interview to Kill the DJ.
In an official statement, Warner Music Group explained, "Animation will provide a contemporary perspective on her story, while the inclusion of archival footage, stage and TV performances, personal footage, and TV interviews will offer audiences an authentic glimpse into the significant moments of Piaf's life."
"Edith" is based on an original concept by Julie Veille and written by Veille and Gilles Marliac, working closely with Warner Music Entertainment president Charlie Cohen to bring the script and AI technology to fruition.
As of now, no specific release date has been disclosed for "Edith."
Earlier this month, another legendary singer's voice was recreated with AI—the Beatles last song "Now and Then" uses artificial intelligence to bring back John Lennon's voice, isolated from an old demo.
