The Double Life of Black Orpheus - Orfeu Negro (1959)

A movie of love and hate, a tale of life and death, a history of awards and contempt, this is the double life of Black Orpheus (Orfeu Negro), the 1959 French-Brazillian film by Marcel Camus, that took the world by surprise, was showered with international awards and praise, yet found the diametrically opposed end of the reception at home.

In the midst of Rio de Janeiro's Carnaval, the video explores the duality of perception of the film by the public, festivals and critique, while referencing films and filmmakers from the same era and country, such as Glauber Rocha, Anselmo Duarte, as well as other fundamental characters in the sphere such as Vinicius de Moraes and Tom Jobim.

Additionally, Black Orpheus is a crucial film in Brazillian cinema, and helpful to understand the diverse textures and history of Brazil, from a social standpoint. Some of the themes addressed by its critics, find echo in contemporary political movements of liberal flavour such as Black Lives Matter, since the release of the film coincided with the Civil Rights Movement in the USA and other liberal political actions with the aim of attaining equality and justice for all members of society.

Black Orpheus DVD and Blu-ray: https://www.criterion.com/films/344-black-orpheus

Видео The Double Life of Black Orpheus - Orfeu Negro (1959) канала Plan-Séquence