Marcel Mouloudji had a difficult young life. He was born in 1922 to a sick mother and an illiterate father who struggled to raise their two sons. His lucky break came when he entered Paris' showbiz world: he started singing at 14 and soon became an actor, first in the theatre and then in film, in which he worked tirelessly until the early ‘60s. Throughout his life, he remained dedicated to his music, which had all the signifiers of cinematic greatness: sweeping strings, impish piano trills, percussive touches and, above all, Mouloudji's bold, expressive voice.