Black Orpheus (DVD, 2009, Criterion / Art House Collection)

("Orfeu Negro") Camus' winner of the Palme d'Or at the 1959 Cannes Film Festival is a modern reinterpretation of the ancient Greek myth of Orpheus, a story that simultaneously celebrates the music, beauty & the Brazilian people. However, the Greek myth upon which this story's based is is about a prince with magical powers (Orpheus) who's smitten at his first sighting of a wood nymph (Eurydice), who dies after being bit by a snake. Orpheus tries to bring her back to life by going to the Underworld. On their journey home, Orpheus is forbidden to look at Euridyce or she will be forever lost.

This modern version, from the Criterion Art House Collection, takes place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Orfeo (Orpheus), a trolley-car conductor & musician, is engaged to Mira. During the week of Carnival, Orfeo first lays his eyes upon Eurydice, a young woman who's fled her village after being frightened by a stalker. It's love at first sight. Eurydice goes to her cousin, Sarafina's, to stay in Rio. Since Sarafino's friends with Orfeo & Mira, the lovers meet again.

During the Carnival festivals, Eurydice wears Sarafina's costume & winds up dancing a seductive Samba with Orfeo. As Eurydice's unmasked, Mira's enraged. Mira & Death pursue the Orfeo & Eurydice through the crowded streets of Rio de Janeiro as the Carnival brings the streets themselves to life. Luscious
scenery & the ethnic sounds of the Bossa Nova of Jobim fill this film with an ancient ethnicity that's stunning~

I saw this movie when I was a teenager. My brother and I really liked it. He brought it to my attention one day when we remembering all the old movies we liked . Great movie