Orpheus, screening Monday, February 4 at 7:00m. Adapted from the Orpheus myth, Jean Cocteau—French poet, novelist, dramatist, designer, boxing manager, filmmaker—Orpheus (1950) is an update of the Orpheus myth. It depicts a famous poet (played by Jean Marais), scorned by the Left Bank youth, and his love for both his wife, Eurydice (Marie Déa), and a mysterious princess (Maria Casarès).

     Seeking inspiration, the poet follows the princess from the world of the living to the land of the dead, through director Jean Cocteau’s famous mirrored portal. Orpheus’s peerless visual poetry and dreamlike storytelling represent the legendary Cocteau (1889-1963) at the height of his powers. The 1950 film is unrated, has a runtime of 95 minutes, is in B&W, in French with English subtitles. Orpheus also stars François Périer, Juliette Gréco, and Henri Crémieux.