Edith Piaf’s life of pink
July 21, 2007
gargamel
La vie in rose. The Life in Pink. The life of Edith Piaf, one of France’s greatest singers, captured in film. Soak in the music and story of love and loss. But mostly, it is about love.
(Why I have chosen to take german language electives in college and not french, is probably one of my biggest regrets in life. That, and not learning how to play the piano. But that’s another story.)
Obviously, the film is in french. But every emotion, every tear and joy resonates loudly, as if I grew up speaking the language. What is it about music, that it could unravel the most mysterious emotion, and make it as simple and as stunningly beautiful as the first day of spring?
Edith’s childhood was sad. She was unloved by her mother, grew up in a whorehouse and looked after by prostitutes. She was forced to join her father, a contortionist, in the circus. At ten years old, her talent was discovered when she was forced by her father to perform, to do anything, so that the people would give them money to buy for food.
From humble beginnings, she rose to fame and became known as France’s Little Sparrow. It was not just her singing career that made her life interesting. Her heart was broken many times. But it was the death of the "love of her life", in a plane crash, that also broke her spirit.
She abused her body with her drug and alcohol addiction. But every performance is riveting, as if she had just discovered the joy of singing.
The film is tiring to watch. That’s how brilliant it is, every little detail is painstakingly authentic. But it was Margot Cotillard’s performance as Edith Piaf, that was so real and moving. Or maybe, it is the complexity of Edith Piaf herself, that made the film so engrossing, her music touched the core of my being.
Here’s one of my favourite scenes (subtitled in english, of course). Edith was being interviewed by a magazine reporter:
Reporter: What is the best advice that you could give to a woman?
Edith: Love.
Reporter: And to a young girl?
Edith: Love.
Reporter: And to a child?
Edith: Love.
Indeed, it is love. That makes it all worth living. And doing all over again.
P.S. Edith sings La Vie En Rose, check out my media box.
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