Catalan Musician Maria Arnal Opens Tallinn Film Festival with Performance

The 29th edition of the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF) commenced on November 17, 2023, with the screening of the film They Will Be Dust (Polvo Serán) directed by Carlos Marques-Marcet. The opening ceremony featured a live performance by Catalan musician Maria Arnal, whose music is integral to the film’s soundtrack. This year’s festival highlights Catalonia, showcasing its cultural richness through both cinema and music.

Arnal expressed her excitement about performing in Estonia for the first time. “The audience can expect a performance that blends songs from my new repertoire with pieces from Polvo Serán,” she noted. The festival, curated by head Tiina Lokk and her team, aims to foster cultural exchange and highlight the significance of Catalan identity and artistry.

The musician emphasized the importance of showcasing Catalan culture. “I believe there is a wealth of quality in Catalan cinema and music,” she stated. “Cultural bridges are desperately needed in our world, especially right now.” This perspective underscores the festival’s goal of connecting diverse artistic expressions across borders.

Arnal’s musical style is characterized by a fusion of avant-garde pop, electronic elements, and polyphonic folk. She explained her approach to music creation, saying, “I never think of genres when I compose. I build sounds one by one, allowing them to blend in innovative ways.” This commitment to artistic exploration enables her to transcend traditional genre boundaries, creating a unique auditory experience.

As she prepares for her upcoming debut full-length solo album, Arnal reflects on the creative process. “This is my favorite work to date, and the process has been incredibly fulfilling,” she shared. The album is currently in its final stages, and she feels both vulnerable and excited about its release.

Beyond music, Arnal is engaged in projects that intersect sound, technology, and social issues, including climate change. One significant project involves her collaboration with the Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC) to explore synthetic voice models generated by artificial intelligence. “I wanted to understand how this technology works and how it can be used ethically and inspiringly,” she explained.

Thanks to a European grant, Arnal has collaborated with experts at the BSC, enriching her understanding of voice models. “This research has allowed me to explore the complexities of my voice as a musical instrument, rather than just replicating it,” she noted. The experience has inspired her to think critically about what cannot be cloned, adding depth to her artistic practice.

As the festival unfolds, Arnal looks forward to returning from Tallinn to release her album and embark on a supporting tour. Her commitment to blending cultural influences and exploring the potential of technology in music exemplifies a forward-thinking approach in the arts. With the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival shining a light on Catalan creativity, Arnal’s participation promises to leave a lasting impact on both audiences and her evolving artistic journey.