Piaf: Hymnes à la Môme

Set in New York's Beacon Theatre, this concert film gathers a group of contemporary singers to honor Edith Piaf through live performance. Rather than telling her life story, it stages a series of vocal interpretations of Piaf's repertoire, with each artist bringing a personal touch to well known songs. The camera moves between closeups of performers, orchestra passages and the audience, keeping the evening's atmosphere front and center. Brief spoken introductions and staging notes provide context, but the emphasis stays on voice and emotion, letting the music carry the connection to Piaf without revealing new biographical information.

Directed by François Goetghebeur and released in 2013, the film captures a special event at the Beacon Theatre. It features Nolwenn Leroy, Duffy, Christophe Willem, Cœur de Pirate and Emmanuel Moire performing as themselves in a concert setting.

The film had a limited theatrical and festival presence, functioning more as a recorded special than a mainstream box office release. Its distribution aimed at fans of live music events and francophone chanson rather than wide commercial runs.

As a tribute, the program helped introduce Piaf's songs to younger and international listeners by placing them in a contemporary pop and indie context. Seeing familiar melodies reimagined by artists from different backgrounds reinforced Piaf's status as an enduring influence across genres and generations.

Critically, the film emphasizes atmosphere and vocal interpretation over narrative depth, so viewers who appreciate live musical showcases will find value in its performances. The main themes are memory, musical legacy and emotional immediacy, conveyed through intimate camera work and arrangements that balance orchestral backing with solo spotlight moments.