Black Orpheus, to my surprise, is actually a re-imagining of the Greek myth of Orpheus, son of Apollo and Calliope. The original is a heartbreaking fatalistic tale of two lovers, who shortly after their marriage, were doomed to never be together at least in this world, Black Orpheus is scarcely any different.
The Film.
Now as far fetched as redoing a Greek myth with the backdrop of Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil may sound, it is actually quite plausible. When you think of the powerful presence of the Orisha tradition intertwined in Brazilian culture, few places would be as suitable as this retelling, and fewer still would be able to conjure a backdrop as beautiful so that gods indeed may run about. Colors seemed to leap from the screen and the music was at least as effective. .
Costumes and color helped set the tone of many scenes, especially when Eurydice is first introduced. She disembarked from the ferry wearing all white, a telltale sign of her "innocence" so to speak. This is further emphasized by her being seemingly overwhelmed at the atmosphere that she has just into. This is indicated by the appearance of her giving the vibe of being threatened by all of the revelers, musicians and crowds until she is encircled for a time. .
Things do seem to calm down when she meets Orfeu (tram driver and dancer for .
the Babilonia School) and his boss, Hermes. Orfeu's attraction for Eurydice is apparent, and expected after literally every man in Rio looked at least twice, but is surprising given that he and his fiancee, Mira (The Queen of the Day), are in the process of obtaining their marriage license and engagement ring. This is where single-handedly I am shown the importance of Carnival to the people; Mira will buy her own engagement ring because Orfeu is more concerned with the preparations of his Samba dance. Orfeu is also depicted as a seducer of women, and is reinforced by him bumping into one of his ex-girlfriends that very day.
