"Try to remember. It's a very old story.": Rediscovering Classics with Black Orpheus

For this edition of ‘Fi’s Favourites,’ I have chosen Marcels Camus's 1959 Black Orpheus, a retelling of the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. Having won both an Oscar and the Palme d’Or, it is a film celebrated by critics and enthusiasts, but was not known well among the general public until recently. Thanks to people like Barack Obama and Arcade Fire, the film has been introduced to a whole new audience and has also come under a more critical eye. It has been a personal favourite of mine for some time now and I hope its continued discussion and revisitation will inspire even more people to take a look at a joyous piece of cinema.

It does seem a little needless to go into any great detail about the plot as the Greek myths, in particular the love story of Orpheus and Eurydice, have been told and retold in art, music, cinema and all other creative formats. In this sense, the plot is nothing new, but it is how Black Orpheus chose to retell this story that makes this film so wonderful.

I am a complete sucker for a love story, especially those about destiny; a story where there is both an unspoken and unbreakable bond between two lovers. It has always existed, even before they did, and will continue to endure long after them. That really tugs at my old romantic heartstrings. Black Orpheus is totally centred around this bond. It keeps the elements of love and devotion that are present in the traditional Greek myth, but somehow manages to make it even more tender and intimate. There is a warmth and humanity to this tale. It's this reworking and, more importantly, this progression of a classic into something even more wonderful that makes this film so impressive.

To me, when I think of Greek Mythology, I think of grandeur and opulence. I think of large cold marble pillars and beautifully sculpted, imposing men and women. At least for me, this grandeur led to a disconnect and a lack of engagement with these wonderful tales and myths. I wasn’t thinking about what the story was and what it was trying to say. With its humanity and reality, Black Orpheus makes you reconnect and fall back in love with the truly stirring story of Orpheus and Eurydice.

The love and enjoyment of this film come from various sources. One is from the unforgettable performances by all involved. As with many great films, many of the actors in Black Orpheus were discovered by Marcels Camus on the street and cast in the film. For me, it's Breno Mello that steals the show. A football player with no previous acting experience, he delivers a genuine and heartfelt performance. His performance is so convincing that it is hard to believe he has never acted in his life or that, in fact, he is not the real Orpheus. I am always amazed by the performances people with no formal training can give. Maybe the authenticity and ease are because of their lack of training. They don’t overthink it. They are real people and channel this into their performances.

The main element that makes this retelling so remarkable is how it chooses to retell the epic myth. Black Orpheus is set in Rio, on both the day of and the day before the Carnaval festival. The colours and the culture all breathe new life into an old tale, the romance of which we had forgotten, but this also makes it very real. Rio is a real place and Carnaval a real festival. People travel from all over the world to watch it and be a part of it and so it carries its own meaning and understanding with it, a meaning that an audience will recognise. As our characters move through the bustling, lively streets, there is life; new life.

The characters have the same name as the gods themselves and have similar roles and personalities, but are adapted to be more realistic. As an example, Hermes was the conductor of the dead. Here he is the conductor of trams, but still fulfils his traditional role. We are on a gradual journey to the underworld, but it is subtly told through Carnaval and the people celebrating so that we hardly notice it. We see it as a real place with a real story, not a mythical place with underworlds and vipers. We see the true beauty of the story because of its realism.

Most of the enjoyment from this film comes from the stunning visual elements. Watching the joy and life on the streets of Rio is enough to lift anyone's mood. There is also a beautiful mix between the bursting streets and the green luscious mountains. Although the film is loud and busy, it has these gentle moments where the noise subtly fades away and all you can hear is what’s present in the moment, with the music from the streets continuing at a low hum. In one of the film's most intimate moments, the night Orpheus and Eurydice discover their bond, they are high up in the mountains, the wind is gentle moving through the trees and greenery, and as you watch, you can almost feel the warm, gentle breeze passing over your skin and the faint sound of the music continuing below you.

The imagery used in the film is also captivating. The film's more quiet moments are often combined with aerial shots, showing the characters from different points of view. While colour is used extensively throughout the film, there are these elusive flashes of red that alert you and reconnect you to the scene and re-engage you with the moment unfolding in front of you. The most affecting image of all, and one that will stay with me, is that of the ill-fated lovers as they meet their end.

While the story has been told many times - and undoubtedly will continue to be - Black Orpheus opens a new thread: an idea that there has always been an Orpheus throughout time and that there will always be one, even after his current incarnation. There is a bond that exists throughout all time; Orpheus will always love Eurydice. In Black Orpheus, the lovers don’t feel like gods. They feel as real as you and me. They are two young lovers, instantly connected by fate. We watch them dance and fall even more in love in the wee hours of the hot Rio nights. The romance and intimacy are palpable. This film is about life and love. It's about dancing in the streets and feeling every beat, being connected to everyone by that beat and falling in love with your soul mate. To take an old tale and make it so spirited, exuberant and make it about life is what makes it a wonderful piece of cinema.

With its stunning scenes, enchanting music that blends so seamlessly into the story and beautiful use of dialogue, this film is truly a treat for the eyes and ears. It is fitting that the artist and overall renaissance man that is Orpheus has inspired so many other artists. This film is a true joy to watch. It takes an old myth and truly makes it its own. Its originality and individuality give the story new life and take us all back to its core. We get to re-engage with this classic tale. There is no doubt in my mind that this film will continue to inspire artists and audiences for generations to come. I hope that you take the time to enjoy it.

From the strings of my guitar that seeks only your love, a voice comes forth that speaks of kisses.