I am 65. A couple of weeks ago as a Black History Month presentation at work I showed the film ‘Ile Aixe ( The House of Life )’ a 1989 film on Candomble’ by David Byrne. ‘Ile Aixe’ is beautiful and as a lagniappe to those who attended I sent the following ‘review’ of Black Orpheus: "In the early 60ies there was the Bossa Nova craze which passed over the world. Out of Brazil came this music – such delightful melodies – such driving percussion – strange but catchy beats. Bossa Nova breathes life. And it was this film which launched the craze. A friend – who had the joy of life of Orpheus himself – raved about this film and alerted me to it finally coming to an art house in Columbus. The Macumba scene where Orpheus goes to try to commune with the soul of his beloved Eurydice was my first encounter with Candomble ( in its Rio variant ). That scene is as good as any about Candomble that I have seen since. This 1959 film is still the best I have seen on Brazil, its music and dance and the spirit of its people.’
Thoughts on 'Black Orpheus'? over 3 years ago
I am 65. A couple of weeks ago as a Black History Month presentation at work I showed the film ‘Ile Aixe ( The House of Life )’ a 1989 film on Candomble’ by David Byrne. ‘Ile Aixe’ is beautiful and as a lagniappe to those who attended I sent the following ‘review’ of Black Orpheus: "In the early 60ies there was the Bossa Nova craze which passed over the world. Out of Brazil came this music – such delightful melodies – such driving percussion – strange but catchy beats. Bossa Nova breathes life. And it was this film which launched the craze. A friend – who had the joy of life of Orpheus himself – raved about this film and alerted me to it finally coming to an art house in Columbus. The Macumba scene where Orpheus goes to try to commune with the soul of his beloved Eurydice was my first encounter with Candomble ( in its Rio variant ). That scene is as good as any about Candomble that I have seen since. This 1959 film is still the best I have seen on Brazil, its music and dance and the spirit of its people.’
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