Chocolat

1988 1h 44m FR

👍

6.9

SOLID

★6.9TMDB · 123

Drama

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

On her way to visit her childhood home in a colonial outpost in Northern Cameroon, a young French woman recalls her childhood, her memories concentrating on her family's houseboy.

“Some stories are better left unspoiled.”

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Where to watch · US

Criterion ChannelSubscription

Cast

Isaach de Bankolé
Protée
Giulia Boschi
Aimée Dalens
François Cluzet
Marc Dalens
Jean-Claude Adelin
Luc
Laurent Arnal
Machinard
Jean Bédiébé
Prosper
Jean-Quentin Châtelain
Courbassol
Emmanuelle Chaulet
Mireille Machinard

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Claire Denis
Writers: Claire Denis, Jean-Pol Fargeau
Languages: French, Hausa, English
Countries: France, Cameroon, Germany

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

ERA

Did you know

38 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

Dialogue crosses 3 languages: French, Hausa, English.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

International production across 3 countries: France, Cameroon, Germany.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Claire Denis, shot by Robert Alazraki. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Abdullah Ibrahim. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Claudine Merlin shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Isaach de Bankolé and Giulia Boschi and François Cluzet carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt0094868 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Claire Denis directs. Robert Alazraki behind the camera. Abdullah Ibrahim scores. Claudine Merlin cuts. Produced in France, Cameroon, Germany. Dialogue in French, Hausa, English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

138 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.
2Dialogue crosses 3 languages: French, Hausa, English.
3International production across 3 countries: France, Cameroon, Germany.
4Directed by Claire Denis, shot by Robert Alazraki. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
5Original score by Abdullah Ibrahim. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
6Editor Claudine Merlin shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
7Isaach de Bankolé and Giulia Boschi and François Cluzet carry the top of the cast.
8IMDB entry: tt0094868 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

The technical file

Cinematography: Robert Alazraki
Original score: Abdullah Ibrahim
Editing: Claudine Merlin
Production design: Thierry Flamand
Costume design: Christian Gasc
Makeup / hair: Jean-Pierre Eychenne
Runtime: 104 min · 1h 44m
Status: Released
Original language: FR
Certification (US): PG-13
IMDB: Chocolat (1988)

Also by

Claire Denis

Trailers & featurettes

Watch the pieces

Community reviews

What people are saying

CinemaSerf2025-09-19
★ 7/10
I found there something really quite erotic about parts of this drama as we reminisce with “France” (Mireille Perrier) as she returns to the now independent Cameroon where she grew up. Her father “Marc” (François Cluzet) is a well-meaning colonial administrator in an out of the way province and that’s where she lives with her mother “Aimée” (Giulia Boschi) and their local and stunningly handsome factotum “Protée” (Isaach De Bankolé). With her papa frequently away on some form of business, her mother is left to run their plantation and she heavily relies upon their butler-cum-plumber/fixer/housekeeper. With the assistance of their erratic chef - who was really only comfortable cooking Yorkshire Pudding, they lead a comfortable enough life but with “Aimée” and “Protée” there is a palpable sexual tension that neither act upon, but that positively smoulders. He is a proud man who carries out his somewhat menial responsibilities with grace and dignity, even though he receives little in return - and that delicate equilibrium is sorely tested when a group of visitors arrive and are forced to stay whilst an aircraft is summoned to take them on their way. Now, the presence of the obnoxiously provocative and arrogant “Luc” (Jean-Claude Adelin) merely adds to the already simmering scenario but perhaps he might just prove to be the catalyst that causes this particular kettle to finally over-boil? It’s told largely from the child’s eye and Cecile Ducasse plays her role as the indulged but decent young girl quite engagingly. She, too, is fond of her tall and powerful protector and in that role, I found De Bankolé managed to marry his character’s innate pride and bearing with a sense of purpose that was probably demeaning, but it was his job and he didn’t believe in half-measures. Amidst all the heightened melodrama, there is some humour (usually from the tempestuous cook) and although it clearly identifies the iniquities of colonialism, that’s not really the point I thought it was is trying to make. In many ways, I felt it more about learning and keeping respect - and on that front both actors played their roles quite sensitively.

Production companies