Day 48: Black Orpheus (1959)

“Black Orpheus,” Marcel Camus’s adaptation of the Greek legend of Orpheus and Eurydice, is a vibrant and intoxicating tale that uses the backdrop of Rio de Janeiro during the Carnival to set us in a completely different world- a place of color, motion, costumes, and especially music. And, in this Carnival world, we see the ordinary transform into beautiful beings, all ready to dance the night away for love even as death lurks in the shadows of the Brazilian slums.

In “Black Orpheus,” the retelling of the Greek legend begins with Eurydice (Marpessa Dawn) who, after running away from Death back home, arrives in Rio de Janeiro with hopes to stay with her cousin, Serafina. Accepted into her house gladly, both girls begin preparing for the yearly Carnival and, as they do, Eurydice encounters Orpheus (Breno Mello), a trolley driver by day and a playboy/dancer by night, who, although engaged to the sassy Mira, falls head over heals for Eurydice after hearing of the Greek tale their names are based on.

Both now in love, Eurydice and Orpheus dance the Carnival night away in each others arms, happier than they have ever been in their lives. But, as the festivities continue, there is no rest for the wicked and Death finally catches up with Eurydice and, after a struggle with Orpheus, kills her. Grief stricken and heart broken, Orpheus will not accept her death and travels down into the depths of the “Missing Persons” office to find her once again and bring her back to life and love.

A gorgeous tale, “Black Orpheus” is a stunning movie to witness as it not only films the natural beauty of the Brazilian landscape, but also the spirited colors, decor, and costumes of the Carnival and all it entails. But, what is even more profound than the visual aspect of “Black Orpheus,” is the auditory. Filled from end to end with music, the film puts rhythm at the center of everything it does. Whether it’s trumpets blazing out front during the dancing sequences or simply a drum beat far off into the distance, there is always music about, ready to help set the mood for the scene. It is the constant of the film- the heartbeat of Brazil, which also works as a backbone for the story.

And, as powerful as music is to the film, it is the sudden absence of it that brings chills to our spine. For instance, when Death finally finds Eurydice and chases her into a trolley storage warehouse, the music, even in the background, screeches to a halt and we are left with an uneasy and terrifying silence that we have yet to witness in the film since its very beginning. It is with scenes like this that we realize what kind of effect music can have on an audience’s mood and how the absence of it can do likewise.

Upon its release,”Black Orpheus” won the “Palme d’Or” at the 1959 “Cannes Film Festival”as well as the 1960 “Academy Award” and “Golden Globe Award” for Best Foreign film. A landmark for both black and Latin culture, it heavily influenced many and continues to this day to impress with its ancient story of love set in a city of lights and music.

To learn more about “Black Orpheus,” check out Criterion’s page here.

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