Orpheus (1950)

A famous popular poet (Jean Marais) witnesses the injury of a fellow poet (Edouard Dermit) when he is hit by two motorcycle riders outside of a cafe. A mysterious woman (Maria Casares) takes his wounded body in her limousine, ostensibly to take him to the hospital and she asks the poet to accompany her as a witness. Written and directed by Jean Cocteau, this reimagining of the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice reflects Cocteau's unique vision of art, death and immortality in a surrealistic dream like allegory. He eschews the conventional romanticism of the myth itself and instead brings his own inky tragic romanticism. While Marais' Orpheus may love Eurydice (Marie Dea), his obsession/love for Death (in the form of a woman) has a stronger pull. It's a complex and unique film, a one of a kind that should excite anyone who loves cinema. I suspect many may not have the patience for it but if you stick with it, you will be amply rewarded. There's a marvelous underscore by Georges Auric. With Francois Perier and Juliette Greco.