Chocolat

Chocolat

In the film Chocolat the main characters Aimee and Protee have an intense sexual desire towards each other, which they must deny. Their relationship is an impossibility because Aimee is a married French colonialist, and Protee is her African servant. In an interesting power struggle, Aimee represents French colonial power while Protee serves as the moral authority.

Aimee demonstrates control over Protee and the other servants in the film because she is their white colonial master. She commands them in their daily duties and in particular gives Protee orders constantly. In addition, Aimee is desirous of Protee the entire film and comes on to him several times. She of course knows that an affair with Protee would destroy both their lives yet she still makes advances because she has the power as the dominant colonizer.

Protee, however, resists her advances every time. His character serves as the moral center of the film because Protee knows his position in the colonial structure. He knows that giving in to his sexual desire and betraying his role as black