A poetic retelling of myth, music and love set in Rio de Janeiro

This Film + Conversation Night features Black Orpheus (Orfeu Negro), Marcel Camus’s visually rich 1959 film that reimagines the ancient Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice in the hills and streets of Rio de Janeiro during Carnival.

Blending music, dance, colour and tragedy, the film follows Orpheus, a young tram driver and musician, and Eurydice, a newcomer to the city, whose love unfolds against the backdrop of celebration, community and fate. The film is renowned for its soundtrack, its vibrant portrayal of Brazilian culture, and its exploration of love, loss and the power of music.

The screening will be followed by a facilitated conversation inviting reflection on the film’s themes, imagery, cultural context and emotional resonance.

Film synopsis

Set during Rio’s Carnival, Black Orpheus tells the story of Orpheus, a gifted musician whose music is said to make the sun rise, and Eurydice, a young woman fleeing a mysterious threat. As their love grows, they are drawn into a modern retelling of an ancient myth, where joy, beauty and celebration sit alongside darkness, loss and longing.

The film weaves together mythology, Brazilian music and street life, offering a dreamlike exploration of love, destiny and the role of art in human experience.

Why this film matters

Black Orpheus is both a cultural landmark and a poetic meditation on how stories travel across time and place. By placing a classical myth within a contemporary Brazilian setting, the film invites reflection on cultural exchange, storytelling, and the ways music and art shape meaning, identity and emotion.

The film also opens space to reflect on representation, adaptation and how stories shift as they move between cultures.

Who it’s for

• Adults and young people aged approximately 14+

• People interested in film, music, culture and storytelling

• Anyone curious about how myth, culture and art intersect

Dates & booking

One screening in August 2026
Part of the Hidden Beach Summer of Culture programme

Full details released March 2026