Photo by Gilles Petard/Redferns
The late Edith Piaf is getting a new biopic courtesy of artificial intelligence.
On Tuesday, Warner Music Entertainment revealed plans to release EDITH, a film made in partnership with the Piaf Estate and production company, Seriously Happy. According to a press release, the film will be "the first animated biopic of an artist using AI," using “innovative and groundbreaking AI technology” to mimic Piaf’s image and voice.
Following the late singer’s life from the 1920s until her death in 1963, EDITH wilI rely on AI — trained through archival footage, past performances, voice clips, musical recordings, and interviews — to purportedly “provide audiences with an authentic look at the significant moments of Piaf’s life” while also uncovering “aspects of her life that were previously unknown,” per the statement.
“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,” it continued. “Thanks to state-of-the-art technology, her real journey can finally be told in her own voice.”
The announcement comes on the heels of the actor's strike, which came to an end last week after the AMPTP reached a tentative deal with SAG-AFTRA. That said, the agreement reportedly includes language about protecting actors from "the threat of AI." No word yet on how the union feels about the studio's latest effort.
The FADER has reached out to Warner Music Entertainment and SAG-AFTRA for further comment.