Chocolat (2015)

	Also Known As: Monsieur Chocolat
	Year of first release: 2015
	Director: Roschdy Zem
	Actors: Omar Sy, James Thiérrée, Alex Descas, Clotilde Hesme
	Country: F
	Genre: Comedy, Drama
	Conditions of visioning: 22.05.2016, Schauburg, French version with German subtitles
Synopsis: Rafael Padilla (Sy), a former slave in Cuba, works as clown in a small country circus in the North of France. George Footit (Thiérrée), a British clown and acrobat meets him by casualty and builds a duo with him, 'Footit and Chocolat'. For two decades during the Belle Epoque, and despite conflicts between the two artists, Footit as the authoritarian white clown and Chocolat as the Auguste Black drudge filled crowds in Paris with enthusiasm.
Review: The story reflect the ground racism spread in the France of the early 1900s. Hmm... This might be also basically transferred to now as many French journalists and companies show basic racism in their words, even in French mass media, respectively in their HR methods.  The story does not present any solution to the racism even if it shows one step to the acceptance of Black people in the French society. The goal is not to dissert on racism but to explain a complex life and career.  The acting of both main characters is great due to the complexity of the roles and also to the special abilities requested for this specific role. Another impressive actor for his charism is Alex Descas playing the role of the spiritual and political mentor of Rafael Padilla. All the circus people have some clown aspects driven by the make-up, the outfit and the facial expression. Only the beloved Marie (Hesme) has a natural texture, if we can talk about texture for a human being. The circus and in particular the characters we can see in both circuses create fascinating atmospheres where you can find entertainment, content, poetry and beauty.
Rating: 7/10