Marcel Camus - Black Orpheus (Orfeu Negro) (1959) Directed by a Frenchman but set in Brazil and spoken in Brazilian Portuguese, this is an example of the kind of international neo-realism that we had already seen in films like Buñuel's Los Olvidados, but this is somewhat different, more of a magical neo-realism reinterpreting the Greek myth of Orpheus in the context of a Favela in Rio de Janeiro during Carnaval. This was a time where we had very few black actors in cinema, and to have a film where pretty much every main and secondary character is black feels revolutionary, the only white characters are completely tertiary ones. This is not to say, however, that it isn't without problems, there is a portrayal of black people as being fun-loving, dancing and singing and kind of happy in their poverty which definitely raises highbrows as it does play into stereotypes but it's 1959 and at least it isn't a negative depiction of black people. So you know, a mixed blessing. At least black culture is seen as beautiful and life affirming here. The film is pretty great, both in terms of acting, the way in which it transposes the story to this environment and visually. There are some striking moments, particularly towards the end where the lighting in the tram station during a particularly tragic moment brings to mind the later films of Mario Bava and Dario Argento as Death chases Eurydice through corridors bathed in red gel lighting. The music is great as well, by Tom Jobim written by Vinicius de Moraes and two of the songs, Felicidade and Manhã de Carnaval have become Bossa Nova standards. Definitely a unique piece of cinema. (4/5) #orfeunegro #blackorpheus #movie #cinema #cinephile #film #marcelcamus #brazil #poster #filmposter #movieposter #1950s #bossanova #review #moviereview #classic #classiccinema #film #filmreview #carnaval (at Lisbon, Portugal) https://www.instagram.com/p/B7aOjXPl7qa/?igshid=1tfceppqevr7x
