Chocolat

Chocolat follows Rafael Padilla, a Black street performer who becomes a headline act through a bold onstage partnership with Footit, a white clown, in Paris at the height of the Belle Epoque. The film traces their rise as audiences fill theaters for a fresh blend of mime, slapstick, and daring social energy. Behind the glittering costumes and laughter, the duo confronts the pressures of show business, gambling debts, and a developing social climate that tests trust and restraint. Rafael’s presence challenges long standing ideas about race in entertainment, while Footit wrestles with pride and fear as fame reshapes their friendship. The story centers on ambition, loyalty, and the costs of breaking new ground. Its consequences linger beyond the final frame.

Directed by Roschdy Zem and released in 2016, Chocolat recounts the real life of Rafael Padilla, the first black stage performer in France. The screenplay credits go to Gérard Noiriel, Cyril Gely, and Olivier Gorce.

Box office figures are not provided in the available data. The production had a budget of 18.5 million dollars and features Omar Sy in the lead role with James Thierrée and Clotilde Hesme in supporting parts.

Critics view Chocolat as a candid look at race and ambition in Belle Epoque Paris. It wrestles with friendship under pressure, the lure of money, and the moral costs of pursuing fame while a historically marginalized artist pushes forward. The film invites reflection on society remembering those who shape culture.

It highlights a largely forgotten chapter of French performance history and the partnership that helped shape modern stage entertainment. Omar Sy embodies the conflicted trailblazer with warmth and gravity, inviting audiences to reconsider representation, memory, and the risks of opening doors. It also prompts discussion on who gets remembered today.