Black Orpheus (1959)

Breno Mello: Orfeu

Photos 

Quotes 

• Orfeo : Try to remember. It's a very old story. Thousands of years ago, Orpheus was sad and melancholic, like this little bird trapped in its cage. But one day, from the strings of his guitar that sought only one true love, a voice spoke to him of lost kisses from the lips of Eurydice. Eurydice's lips trembled anxiously, and her mouth opened slightly like a fragrant flower -

  [tries to kiss Eurydice and she pushes him away] 

  Orfeo : No, you're too young to remember!

  Eurydice : But I do. I remember the words you sang.

  Orfeo : They were the same words.

  Eurydice : That's right. But it was the melody I liked best.

  Orfeo : [Eurydice leaves, Orfeo follows, finds her sitting on a rock looking at the landscape with a tear in her eye]  Forgive me, Eurydice.

• Orfeo : It's you who's carrying me. I rest in your arms like a sleeping child, and from the sweet breath in your bosom, I know you'll take me where I must go.

• Orfeo : I have nothing left to live for. I'm poorer than the poorest of black men.

  Hermes : Beg for mercy, my son. We're all poor, and the only words left for us are those of the poor man: Thank you.

• Zeca : [reading the text on the guitar]  "Orpheus is my Master."

  Orfeo : That's true.

• Orfeo : [singing]  My happiness is dreaming, Deep within my sweetheart's eyes, It's like this night passing swiftly by, In search of the dawn...

• Orfeo : Anybody there?

  Janitor : What are you looking for, brother?

  Orfeo : The Missing Persons department.

  Janitor : There is such a department, but I never saw any missing persons there. Just mountains of paper.

• Orfeo : [singing]  From the strings of my guitar, That seeks only your love, A voice comes forth, That speaks of kisses, Lost on your lips, My heart sings with newfound happiness, At the dawning of this new love.

• Orfeo : You're in my arms, Eurydice. I'll protect you always, from everything. I care for you, Eurydice. You'll never be frightened again.

• Orfeo : [singing]  Sadness has no end, But happiness does, Happiness is like a dewdrop, On a flower petal, It shines bright and still, Then quivers lightly, And falls like a lover's tear.

• Orfeo : Where's her costume?

  Dressmaker's Assistant : This all we have. A body like this doesn't need a costume.

• Orfeo : Everything's beautiful, Eurydice. My heart's like a bird whose thirst is quenched by a single dewdrop. Thank you, Eurydice. Thank you for this new day.

• Orfeo : Thank you, Eurydice. The path you've chosen is laden with flowers. The sun is rising to welcome us, my love. Sing, Eurydice.

  [singing] 

  Orfeo : The happiness of the poor, Is like the great illusion of carnival...

• Janitor : Are you in pain, my brother?

  Orfeo : I lost Eurydice. It's as if she were burning inside my heart.

  Janitor : Keep calling to her. She'll come.

  Orfeo : I've been calling to her.

  Janitor : Your voice alone isn't strong enough, and these papers can't answer you back. You think these papers care about anybody?