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Le Clown Chocolat (2013)
Directed by Samia Chala, Thierry Leclère
Documentary · 50m
In the early 20th century, one of the biggest stars of the Parisian stage was a Black artist who has since been forgotten: the clown Chocolat. This film by Samia Chala and Thierry Leclère tells the extraordinary story of this former Cuban slave who captivated the Lumière brothers, inspired the painter Toulouse-Lautrec, and later influenced writers such as Jean Cocteau. The meteoric rise of Chocolat—who was physically struck and mocked on stage by the "white clown" Footit—reflects the French public's discovery of the "Black man" during the era of colonial exhibitions and the Third Republic. It is a story that still resonates today. Drawing on exceptional archival footage, Chocolat’s epic life story is recounted by historian Gérard Noiriel and actor Marcel Bozonnet, both of whom brought the clown back to life on stage.
Cast
Yann Gaël
Marcel Bozonnet
Crew
- Director
- Samia Chala, Thierry Leclère
- Writer
- Samia Chala, Thierry Leclère
- Editor
- Sophie Comtet Kouyaté
Details
- Release date
- 2013-06-01
- Runtime
- 50m
- Genres
- Documentary
- Original language
- FR
- Spoken languages
- French
- Production
- Walter Films, CNC, PROCIREP, Angoa-Agicoa