in this film he places a greater emphasis on orfeu (toni garrido)'s relationship with his family and community.

furthermore, the director adapts the 1956 play to suit a more modern and hardened brazil, creating a more abrasive version of the greek tale of orpheus and eurydice.

while the buoyant orfeu negro has a much celebrated soundtrack of bossa nova and samba, diegues's version includes some compelling funk carioca and hip-hop, the music heard in brazil's 'communidades' today.