Catalan Artist Maria Arnal Opens Tallinn Film Festival with Music and AI Insights

The 29th edition of the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF) commenced on November 17, 2023, featuring the premiere of Catalan director Carlos Marques-Marcet’s film, They Will Be Dust (Polvo Serán). The festival opened with a captivating performance by Catalan musician Maria Arnal, whose music is prominently featured in the film. This year’s festival, curated by head Tiina Lokk and her team, emphasizes Catalonia’s cultural contributions as part of its 2025 program.

Arnal expressed her excitement about performing in Estonia for the first time, highlighting the significance of the event. “The audience can expect a performance with a mix of songs from my new repertoire, along with selections from the soundtrack of Polvo Serán,” she stated in an interview prior to the festival.

Cultural representation is a central theme for Arnal. She emphasized the importance of showcasing Catalan identity and culture, stating, “There is a lot of quality and, sincerely, amazing films! I think cultural bridges are so much needed in our world, especially right now.” This sentiment resonates with the festival’s mission to foster international cultural dialogue.

Arnal’s music is known for its eclectic blend of avant-garde pop, electronics, and polyphonic folk. She embraces this fusion, explaining, “I never think of genres when I compose. I simply don’t relate to music in these terms. I love to move among different bubbles of genres.” This approach allows her to create innovative sounds that challenge traditional music boundaries.

Her upcoming album, set to be her debut full-length solo release, is in its final stages. “I think it is my favorite work until now and the process that I have enjoyed the most,” she shared. Arnal expressed her mixed feelings of vulnerability and excitement regarding its release, indicating that she is currently finalizing the last details.

Beyond her musical endeavors, Arnal is deeply engaged in projects that intersect sound, technology, and social issues. She is currently collaborating with the Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC) to explore the potential of synthetic voice models generated by artificial intelligence. This project aims to ethically integrate AI into her music.

“I wanted to understand how this technology works and how to use it in an ethical way,” Arnal explained. “Thanks to a European grant, I had the opportunity to work alongside physicians at the BSC.” Her interdisciplinary approach fosters creativity, as she noted, “The experience has been super inspiring.”

Arnal’s research involves not merely reproducing her physical voice but enhancing it as a musical instrument. “I have also realized what can’t be cloned, which has been super inspiring too,” she added. This exploration reflects her commitment to pushing the boundaries of music and technology.

As the festival unfolds, Arnal looks forward to her album’s release and the subsequent tour. “I am so excited about the album and the tour once I’m back from Tallinn,” she concluded, underscoring her enthusiasm for the future.

The Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival continues to celebrate cultural diversity, with Arnal’s performance serving as a poignant reminder of the power of art in bridging gaps between communities and fostering understanding.