For the French adaptation of the successful Canadian podcast Alone, a love storyCBC Podcasts preferred the services of the Paris studio Ochenta over the expertise there, particularly because the Quebec accent would have less international potential.
With a French accent, French actress Marion Lesongeur narrates the adventures of Michelle Parise, a Toronto journalist and author in the midst of a divorce. It is the Paris studio Ochenta that, in collaboration with Radio-Canada OHdio, was commissioned to adapt the Canadian podcast “Alone, A Love Story”, which has been listened to millions of times since its release in 2017, into French and Spanish.
Michelle Paris. Photo credit: Pascal Chiarello
“We didn’t want Quebec French to attract international interest,” says Cesil Fernandes, executive producer at CBC Podcasts, a subsidiary of Radio-Canada’s English channel.
A choice questioned by Radio-Canada
Quebec listeners might be offended if they come across this adaptation of a Canadian podcast from CBC Podcasts narrated in a French accent.
Was the inclusion of Quebecers and French-speaking communities in Canada discussed in the early stages of creation?
“I honestly don’t remember,” Cesil Fernandes said in an interview conducted entirely in English.
Adobe stock photo
However, in discussions about this first attempt by CBC Podcasts to translate one of its podcasts into French and Spanish, Radio-Canada raised questions about the choice of Paris studio Ochenta.
“Yes we have got that. CBC Podcasts, which was responsible for this project, made its choice based on the strategy they wanted to use for the pilot, namely a project in Spanish, French and English for an international audience,” explains Émilie Brazeau.
Béliveau, first director of audio and radio advertising, marketing and public relations at CBC/Radio-Canada.
Local talent set aside
Despite CBC/Radio-Canada’s questions, CBC Podcasts chose to ignore Quebec’s expertise in dubbing. “We wanted to reach a larger audience to tell Michelle’s story. The Ochenta studio asked us to translate into French and Spanish. We decided to work with them because they have experience in adaptations and want to appeal to an international audience,” emphasizes Cesil Fernandes.
In Canada, studios can adapt podcasts. In Quebec alone, we can think of ContentMultimedia.com and Toast Studio The CIA’s MK-Ultra program. Launched in 2021, the podcast entitled “Brainwashing: The Forgotten Guinea Pigs” is hosted in standard French by Quebec journalist and columnist Sophie-Andrée Blondin.
The first episode of was released on September 6th Alone: A Love Story in French and Sola: A Story of Love in Spanish were available on several online listening platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music and Google Podcasts. New episodes will be revealed by November 8th. For More detailsit is here.
Alone, a love story : a criticized adaptation choice
“For a podcast produced and broadcast in Quebec, the narration should come from local artists. And especially in the context of a Canadian podcast that was translated into French»complains Tania Kontoyanni, president of the artists’ association.
People here are outraged by this decision by CBC Podcasts. For voice actor and actor Sébastien Dhavernas, it’s a missed opportunity to showcase local talent internationally.
“It’s the continued disrespect for our industry. We are often seen as fifty actors getting angry, but this industry provides a living for many people. Take a tour of the studio, you’ll see that it’s not just actors. It is a sector that is doing well but does not receive much help,” protests Sébastien Dhavernas.
Joël Lemay / QMI Agency
Although the broadcast industry is young, it gives voice to the problems that have long existed in the world of dubbing. “Unfortunately, in Quebec there is neither a law nor an obligation for dubbing producers to do this. We need the government’s support to push the issue forward and are in discussions with them on this issue,” explains Tania Kontoyanni.
“The podcasting sector is emerging, with a first collective agreement signed in 2021. Therefore, it would have been possible and easy for the producer to apply this collective agreement and promote the work of artists here,” adds the president of the artists’ union.