Orfeu (1999)

Director:

Carlos Diegues

Writers:

João Emanuel Carneiro (writer)
Carlos Diegues (writer)

Release Date:

21 April 1999 (Brazil)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Music | Romance

Plot:

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

Plot Keywords:

Carnival | Jealousy | Love | Violence | Slum

Awards:

5 wins & 6 nominations

Cast

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

Runtime:

110 min

Country:

Brazil

Language:

Portuguese

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Argentina:16 | France:U

Company:

Cine-Source

Movie Connections:

Remake of Orfeu Negro (1959)

Soundtrack:

A Felicidade

Colorful, good entertainment considering the source

ORFEU is a good reworking of the Orpheus story. It has been remade using all of Vinicius de Morais' criteria for an updated version. Among the criteria was adding the modest modern forms of the art. ORFEU does that wonderfully in depicting the current underworld ruling the favelas (poor shanty towns), and the modern trends in language and music, including Brazilian rap. It is definitely an updated version of the late 50's "Black Orpheus." Now, whether one prefers the comparatively nostalgic '50s ORPHEUS or not is another matter. And that should not be the yardstick on which this film is rated. Understandably, a lot of people have problems with accepting rap in Brazilian samba, overt sexuality (which is rampant even on Brazilian prime-time TV) and the nuanced acting of Brazilian telenovelas, which, like it or not, is what the people are used to, and the popular standard for acting in Brazil. Whether this style of acting is good or bad is definite subjective. Regular people in Brazil overact more than those in the movie have been accused of doing. Go there and see people in a normal discussion, then argue about who overacts. I therefore assure you that ORFEU delivers what it intended, and with fabulous sound and cinematography, state of the

art. Whether you preferred the "innocent" days of the 50s to today's rougher climate is of course your choice, but it's not fair to vent your anger or to criticize the film for it. Criticize society, whomever. But not the artists in this movie. They are representing things as they are right now, whether you like it or not. It's unfortunate that since most don't like the general state they take it out on the movie. The movie is definitely worth watching. It only reflects society, and kind of sanitized at that. The acting is the best you'll get from a bunch who have to master Samba dancing, singing, looking wonderful, and seeming realistic, just for starters. They do that and more in this movie.