The rise and fall of the famous clown Chocolat, the first black circus performer who revolutionized the stagnant circus acts and conquered Paris of the Belle Époque with his exuberance and originality.
The life story of Rafael Padilla, a former slave in Cuba, who unexpectedly became a star clown in the Paris of the Belle Epoque. Discovered in a small country circus in the North of France by George Footit, a British clown and acrobat, he formed a successful duo with him, ‘Footit and Chocolat’. For two decades, and despite conflicts between the two artists, Footit as the authoritarian white clown and Chocolat as the Auguste Black drudge filled crowds with enthusiasm. But nothing lasts forever and the glory of Chocolat, despite his high ambitions, started to decline until his premature death in 1917.
Adapted from Gerard Noiriel’s biography, and set in France beginning in the late 19th century.
“The fascinating and despairing true story of France’s first famous black performer is brought to the screen in Chocolat, a lively belle-époque biopic whose noteworthy — and extremely timely — subject matter helps overcome what otherwise feels like a familiar rise-and-fall costume drama, albeit one with significant historical baggage.” – Hollywood Reporter
Starring Omar Sy, James Thierrée, Clotilde Hesme, Olivier Gourmet, Frédéric Pierrot.
In French with English subtitles.