Orfeu (1999)

In a dangerous but human Rio's slum, rises the love affair betwen Orfeu and Eurídice, provoking jealousy and violence in times of carnival.

Director:

Carlos Diegues

Writers:

João Emanuel Carneiro, Carlos Diegues,

Stars:

Toni Garrido, Patrícia França, Murilo Benício

5 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Toni Garrido	...	Orfeu
Patrícia França	...	Eurídice
Murilo Benício	...	Lucinho
Zezé Motta	...	Conceição
Milton Gonçalves	...	Inácio
Isabel Fillardis	...	Mira
Maria Ceiça	...	Carmen
Stepan Nercessian	...	Pacheco
Maurício Gonçalves	...	Pecê
Lúcio Andrey	...	Piaba
Mary Sheila	...	Be Happy
Eliezer Motta	...	Stallone
Sérgio Loroza	...	Coice
Silvio Guindane	...	Maicol
Castrinho	...	Oswaldo

Storyline

In a dangerous but human Rio de Janiro's slum, rises the love affair between Orfeu, a famous composer, and Eurídice, a simple but pretty brunette, provoking jealousy and violence in times of carnival. A kind of Brazilian Romeo and Juliet, full of samba.

---

Plot Keywords:

violence | slum | carnival | jealousy | love | 

---

Genres:

Crime | Drama | Music | Romance

---

Details

Country:

Brazil

Language:

Portuguese

Release Date:

21 April 1999 (Brazil)

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$12,908 (USA) (25 August 2000)

Gross:

$96,811 (USA) (24 November 2000)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cine-Source, Globo Filmes, Rio Vermelho Filmes Ltda.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Version of Black Orpheus (1959)

---

Soundtracks

"A Felicidade"
Composed by Antonio Carlos Jobim

User Reviews

A pale shadow of the original

I was 18 when I became enchanted by all things Brazilian and held a lifelong ambition visit that beautiful country. This admiration of all things brazillian was the result of a visit to a London cinema with an older cousin to see the masterpiece Black Orpheus.

This was a truly magnificent film, based on the legend of Orpheus and Eurydice, and set among the slum dwellers of Rio at carnival time. I did not see this film again until quite recently when I purchased the DVD. The film retains it's magical qualities after all these years and can be watched over and over again.

While looking for Black Orpheus, I became aware of the modern version Orfeu which I also purchased on DVD. I must say that this film fails miserably on most counts. The characters are wooden, the acting average, and the music can not live with the score of the 1959 film. On top of this the symbolism does not work, and the whole film lacks poetry. I have asked many friends to watch both of these films and the result is unanimous praise for Black Orpheus and a Luke warm reception for Orfeu.

I visited a favela last year and it is true that the modern version is much more true to life, but that misses the point. This is a comparison between a work of art, and a very average remake.