Directed by:
Roschdy ZemScreenplay:
Cyril GélyCinematography:
Thomas LetellierComposer:
Gabriel YaredCast:
Omar Sy, James Thiérrée, Noémie Lvovsky, Frédéric Pierrot, Mikael Buxton, Héléna Soubeyrand, Timothé Vom Dorp, Clotilde Hesme, Olivier Gourmet (more)VOD (1)
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Padilla was born in Cuba in 1868 and was sold into slavery at the age of 9, to a Portuguese merchant. After escaping slavery, he traveled to Paris and launched a career in the circus, captivating the French with his talents as a singer and dancer, and as a clown, working under the stage name 'Chocolat'. (Transmission Films)
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Reviews (3)
Omar Sy is beginning to profile himself as one of France's most interesting young character actors. This historical and biographical drama about the first black French clown suited him well. The film itself, however, is more of a classic biopic, where you get the moments you expect - a drama with a dash of comedy with a great lead actor.
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This is what a good biopic should be. The charismatic Omar Sy, starring in the title role, certainly has a lot to do with the final result. He deserves admiration for the ease with which he was able to express the wide range of emotions that portraying the first black clown required. Rafael Padilla may have enjoyed great favor with the Parisians, but his fame, built on his humiliation, quickly began to fade, and in his efforts to rise above it all, he ultimately realized how ruthless the world around him could be. The worst and saddest part of it all is that it is a true story. (85%)
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Omar Sy is quite possibly the best French actor working today, and I've yet to see a bad movie with him. The guy has charisma, he's funny and he can act well, which are the basic attributes of a good actor. Chocolat tells the story of the first black clown to go from absolute filth and squalor to the biggest circus in Paris and conquer absolutely everyone, but as it is with fame, few can accept and handle it, so problems with alcohol, women and gambling are inevitable. A strong story that moved me a couple of times and made me laugh. 80%
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Gallery (38)
Photo © Gaumont
![Chocolat - Photos](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w663/files/images/film/photos/161/104/161104966_3a4ae0.jpg)
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