Christian Carter LBST 2102 Mr.

Robert Arnold 13 October 2011 Microtheme: Chocolat Claire Denis is known for her direction in a film called Chocolat. Chocolat is told from the perspective of a young French girl named France, who becomes close friends with the houseboy named Protee. The friendship between France and Protee begins to expose the possibilities of sexual attraction and racial boundaries. One of the main themes in the film is the meaning of the horizon line. France asks her father what the horizon line is, but its not until the conclusion of the film that he reveals the true meaning. He tells her that the line exists and is recognized by all people, but it is often present and absent at the same time. In a literal sense the horizon line is the division between earth and sky, but in the film the horizon line takes on a figurative representation because it is the division between the white French men and the Africans. Several times in the film, the concept of the horizon line has been challenged with the relationships between the characters. The relationship between Protee and France ignores the horizon line and becomes a relationship that exhibits caring, curiosity, and enlightenment. Claire Denis engages the audience with the elusions of sexual tension that seems to exist between Aimee and Protee. In these scenes it is evident that the horizon line has been crossed. Protee understands his limitations due to his rigid perception of the horizon, but Aimee choice to cross the line in her inappropriate

actions towards Protee. France and Aimee are trying to move beyond the established racial boundaries and create their own horizons.