EXTRAS

Black Orpheus

The real breakthrough for bossa nova on an international scale was the 1959 French film Orfeu Negro (Black Orpheus), directed by Marcel Camus and filmed on location in Rio. This was a realization of the 1956 play Orfeu da Conceição by Vinícius that was based on the Greek myth of Orpheus, but set in the modern-day slums of Rio. The film, with its stunning cinematography and brilliant use of color, won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival as well as the Academy Award for best Foreign Language Film. It introduced the outside world to the vibrant sights and sounds of Carnival in Rio. Jobim and guitarist Luiz Bonfá (1922–2001) wrote the music, which included "Manhã de Carnaval" and "A Felicidade."

Quotes

To say that the film was received without enthusiasm in Brazil is an understatement. The contrast between the fascination that Black Orpheus generated abroad and the contempt with which it was treated by Brazilians, who saw themselves depicted as exotics, invites thoughts on the loneliness of Brazil." -Caetano Veloso

"An Orpheus, Rising From Caricature"
New York Times, August 20, 2000

It was a monumental motion picture in many respects. I knew that something special was happening in that country. I never realized that it would become the phenomenon it did. I just knew that they were doing something spectacular." – Felix Grant

Felix Grant interviewed by Bryant (Williams) DuPre (ca 1989)

“Even with Vinícius’ nonconformist attitude toward his and other people’s lifestyles, he simply could not tolerate the inexplicable racial stereotypes that were prevalent throughout the film, some of them rather perplexing.” “What he ultimately objected to was the mockery of slum life the producers had made out of his carioca tragedy.”

Josmar Lopes
‘Sadness Has No End’
“A Testament to ‘Black Orpheus’ and the Partnership That Started It All (Part One)”

extras

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audio

Felix Grant interviewed by Bryant Dupree, ca. 1989

video

Black Orpheus, 1959