Shrove Tuesday, (February 17, 2015) and all pre Lenten celebrations, such as Mardi Gras / Carnival, immediately brings to mind the terrific 1959 film “Black Orpheus”. 
Made in Brazil by French director Marcel Camus, it is the classic Greek romantic tragedy of Orpheus (Breno Mello) and Eurydice (Marpessa Dawn) set against the back drop of a high energy samba troupe.
The costumes, the music of Rio de Janeiro, the dancing, and all those pretty people being chased by a man in a skeleton mask – fabulous.
Even if you haven’t seen “Black Orpheus”, you are probably familiar with its great music by Antonio Carlos Jobim, including “Manhã de Carnaval” (written by Luiz Bonfá).
It’s on DVD, watch, do some samba steps, you’ll have fun.
Per WikiPedia: “Black Orpheus” won the Palme d’Or prize at the 1959 Cannes Film Festival as well as the 1960 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film and the 1960 Golden Globe for Best Foreign Film.”
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