Title: Chocolat
Director: Roschdy Zem
Starring: Omar Sy, James Thierrée, Clotilde Hesme, Oliver Gourmet, Frédéric Pierrot, Noémie Lvovsky, Denis Podalydes.
The history of the clown Chocolat, the first black circus artist in France, lands on the silver screen.
From the circus to the theatre, from anonymity to stardom, Rafael Padilla —more commonly known by his stage name Chocolat — was a clown who entertained Parisians in the early years of the 20th century. His success came by the exceptional partnership with George Footit, since their duo would embody the white clown and the auguste (happy clown).
Director Roschdy Zem delivers a wonderfully nuanced story about a black man who not only went from rags to riches, and was overwhelmed by his success, but had to do so confronting the racism of the Belle Époque era.
Footit (James Thierrée) is already a known performer when he first encounters Chocolat (Omar Sy) at a provincial circus run by a money-grabbing couple (Frédéric Pierrot and Noémie Lvovsky), who force the Cuban-born exile to play the role of a primitive cannibal, to frighten the small town folk who have clearly never seen a black man before. But what Footit actually sees is Chocolat’s potential on stage, training him in a two-man number that will make history. As a matter of fact the routine was captured on film in 1896 by movie pioneer Emile Reynaud, played here by a Denis Podalydes.
Footit and Chocolat become so popular that they’re quickly hired by the Parisian impresario (Olivier Gourmet), who sets them up as one of the Nouveau Cirque’s main attractions. Fame and fortune soon follow with the usual celebrity complications, including Chocolat’s drinking, gambling and womanising; along with the realisation that his rise to stardom comes at the expense of mocking his own race. Rafael’s consequent stance will change his career forever.
Omar Sy is exceptional in portraying the titular clown who battled prejudice with laughter, and the chemistry with James Thierrée, who plays Footit, is remarkable. The Swiss performer is perfect for the role, considering his diversified experience in the performing arts, which encompasses mime, dance, music and acting. Not to forget that Thierrée has the circus running through his veins, since he is the son of Victoria Chaplin and Jean-Baptiste Thierrée, as well as being the grandson of Charlie Chaplin and the great-grandson of Eugene O’Neill. Thierrée truly channels the talents of his lineage interpreting with earnestness the acrobatic sad clown, who was the wingman and maker of the first “Star Exotique du spectacle français.”
The movie ‘Chocolat’ is much more than a mere biopic, it’s a historical chronicle, an activist film and the story about an artistic friendship that blends physical comedy with plenty of compassion.
Technical: B
Acting: A
Story: A
Overall: A-
Written by: Chiara Spagnoli Gabardi
