4 - Orfeu Negro (Black Orpheus, 1959), Directed by Marcel Camus

Summary

Cast

Orfeu, played by Breno Mello

Eurydice, played by Marpessa Dawn

Death, played by Adhemar da Silva

Mira, played by Lourdes de Oliveira

Serafina, played by Lèa Garcia

Hermes, played by Alexandro Constantino

Chico Boto, played by Waldetar de Souza

Benedito, played by Jorge dos Santos

Zeca, played by Aurino Cassanio

Crew

Director: Marcel Camus

Production Companies: Dispat Film / Gemma / Cinematografica / Tupan Filmes

Producer: Sacha Gordine

Production Manager: Jacques Gibault

Music: Luis Bonfá, Antonio Carlos Jobim

Screenplay: Vinitius de Morães, based on his play

Photography: Jean Bourgoin

Editor: Andrée Feix

Awards

Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Hollywood, 1959

Best Film (Palme d’Or), Cannes International Film Festival, 1959

Best Film, Venice Film Festival, 1959

Plot

Establishing scenes show excited preparation for the Rio de Janeiro Carnival taking place in the shanty town of the ‘Morros’ on the steep cliffs above Rio. Eurydice arrives on the ship coming into the harbour, and she is invited onto a tram by the driver, Orfeu. When they arrive at the terminal, Eurydice is directed by Orfeu’s boss, Hermes, to the house of her cousin, Serafina. Orfeu is met by his girlfriend, Mira, who persuades him to go along to the marriage ceremonies office to arrange their marriage. Afterwards he refuses to buy her a ring, choosing instead to get his guitar back from the pawn shop. Eurydice arrives at Serafina’s house and tells her that she has run away because a man is after her to kill her. Meanwhile Orfeu is asked by the two young boys, Benedito and Zeca, if it is true that his songs make the sun rise; he sings for them and Eurydice, who is next door, hears his song and is charmed. Orfeu introduces himself to Eurydice and tells her the story of the Greek myth of Orpheus’s love for Eurydice. Serafina takes Mira off, thereby allowing Orfeu to dance with Eurydice; a dionysianerotic frenzy ensues. While Eurydice is having her dress prepared, Death appears at the window, and she takes fright and runs off. Death finally catches up with her, and is about to kill her when Orfeu frightens him off. Serafina decides to let Eurydice go to the Carnival so she can spend time with her boyfriend, Chico, who has arrived from Montevideo.