Catalan Music Meets AI: Maria Arnal Opens Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival

The Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF) begins its 29th edition this Friday. Catalan director Carlos Marques-Marcet’s film They Will Be Dust will open the event. The festival’s opening night will also feature a live performance by Catalan musician Maria Arnal. Her music is featured prominently in the opening film.

This lineup highlights the festival’s 2025 focus on Catalan culture. Festival head Tiina Lokk and her team curated the program. The event promises a strong showcase of Catalan cinema and music for international audiences.

Maria Arnal’s Festival Performance and Catalan Spotlight

Maria Arnal will perform at the festival’s opening ceremony. This marks her first-ever live performance in Estonia. Her set will mix new songs with music from the film’s soundtrack.

She expressed excitement about representing Catalan culture. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Arnal believes cultural bridges are vital. She praised the quality of Catalan films being presented.

Her music defies simple genre classification. She blends avant-garde pop, electronics, and polyphonic folk. Arnal says she composes by building sounds individually, not by thinking of genres.

Exploring New Albums and AI Voice Technology

Arnal is currently finishing her debut solo album. She describes it as her favorite work to date. The creative process has been deeply enjoyable and fulfilling for her.

Beyond music, she is exploring artificial intelligence. She is collaborating with the Barcelona Supercomputing Center. Their project investigates synthetic voice models.

She is using AI to understand and expand her voice as an instrument. The research aims for ethical and inspiring uses of technology. Arnal finds it revealing to discover what aspects of a voice cannot be cloned by AI.

The Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival provides a global stage for unique artistic voices like Maria Arnal, blending traditional culture with cutting-edge technology and setting the tone for a dynamic 2025 event.

Thought you’d like to know

What is the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival?

It is a major annual international film festival held in Estonia. The 2025 edition is its 29th. It showcases a diverse range of global cinema.

Which film is opening the festival this year?

The opening film is *They Will Be Dust* by Catalan director Carlos Marques-Marcet. Its original Catalan title is *Polvo Serán*. The film’s music is by Maria Arnal.

What is unique about Maria Arnal’s musical style?

She creates a fusion of avant-garde pop, electronics, and polyphonic folk. Arnal does not compose music based on traditional genres. She builds sounds layer by layer for a unique blend.

How is Maria Arnal involved with AI technology?

She is collaborating with the Barcelona Supercomputing Center on a research project. They are exploring ethical uses of synthetic voice models. She uses AI to complexify her voice as a musical instrument.

What is the cultural focus of the 2025 festival?

The 2025 program has a specific focus on Catalan culture. This includes showcasing films and music from the Catalonia region. It aims to build cultural bridges for the audience.