Watching & Loving: Black Orpheus

Or, as the Portugese-speaking Brazilians would say, Orfeu Negro. It's actually a simplistic, and yet sublimely fantastic movie from the 1950's; a heady mix of gorgeous people, sultry Bossa Nova, punchy colours, and Island heat. Love, love , love it!

A groundbreaking film in its day, Marcel Camus' Black Orpheus made a big splash at the film festivals, winning the Palme d'Or at Cannes and introducing Brazil's Carnival and the sound of Antonio Carlos Jobim to the rest of the world.

Although some folks have since said that the movie's portrayal of blacks in the favelas did more damage than good, I beg to differ. It's a sophisticated interpretation of the classic Greek love story between Eurydice and Orpheus, set to a Carnival backdrop and featuring an all-black cast that played well within their roles; no 'massa day' acting here.

Not to mention how stylish they all looked in the process - even the little dancing kids were gorge...

Oh what I would give for that white collared dress Euyrdice, played by Marpessa Dawn, wore for most of the movie whilst she was being seduced by the cheeky Orfeu, aka Brazilian footballer Breno Mello! Or the deep maroon, Dior-esque shift that Orfeu's catty fiance, Mira, was working, for what it's worth.

Come to think of it, that dress reminds me of Meiling's recent aubergine number, from her 2010 collection, The Secret Life of Plants.

Nary a feather or bare breast in sight, the Carnival scenes were rather demure in comparison to contemporary Mas'. And the street parade and dancing was more jovial and convivial, than saucy and risque; something like post-Independence Carnival in Port of Spain.

So worth a look-see; check it out on TCM on Demand, or hunt down the DVD online.

LMN Harris