The Culture and Chocolate Behind "Chocolat"


Image result for chocolat film


 The Culture and Chocolate Behind Chocolat 
published by Amara Foster

The film Chocolat, a film that I really enjoyed. did not leave the greatest taste in my mouth when it came to me learning about French culture. At least the French culture that is represented in this small village.

This film taught me that the French are super religious Catholics. It’s almost like they live and breathe their religion. Anyone that strays away from the “normal path” of this Catholic society is looked at as a non-believer. They are looked at as constant sinners. The villagers are basically told to shun these people and look at them in the worst way possible.

I am not a fan of this kind treatment. I understand that this is a Catholic society, and there are specific beliefs, “rules” and expectations to the religion. But I don’t like how differences are not accepted. Those who were different, were not allowed to show what made them different. How is a society supposed to grow and prosper if when it came to every person, everything about them was the same? Seems a little cookie cutter to me.

From this film, I learned that even though the French culture does not seem that accepting, everyone a part of the French village does not think share this same thinking. They still hold their Catholic beliefs, while also learning to accept and befriending those who may not.  
   
Image result for chocolat film chocolateAnd now to the chocolate!                   

Vianne Rocher moved to the French village with her daughter, Anouk, and opened the “Chocolaterie Maya”. The chocolatier not only sold many variations of rich chocolate delectables to fill the townspeople's sweet tooth, but it also was sold to serve other purposes. Chocolate took on the role of multiple ideas within the film. It worked as a “metaphor for pleasure, and all sensual and sensory indulgence.” We see this with the lady who brings a bag of chocolate home to her husband, upon Vianne’s recommendation. After her husband eats the chocolate, he goes from ignoring her to wanting her...in more ways than one. This couple returns to the shop on several occasions to buy this SAME chocolate to experience this SAME pleasure.

Chocolate is also a symbol for spiritual rebirth. The townspeople who try and eat Vianne’s chocolate, end up showing growth within the film. Her chocolate does something to them. It helps transition their mindsets, thinking, and beliefs for the better. They are resurrected in a sense. These are the people who accept her for who she is.

Image result for chocolat filmThere is an “anti-chocolate” bias within the film, that depicts the chocolate and everything that it represents, as a sin. This bias goes back to religion. It is attributed to church policy. The “Chocolaterie Maya” is owned by a woman who doesn’t attend church, opened a Chocolate shop during the month of Lent, and wanted to have a Chocolate Festival on Easter Sunday. This makes the mayor, Comte de Reynaud despise everything about this situation, especially the chocolate! The chocolate is more than chocolate to him. Until the end of the film for Reynaud, the chocolate represents displeasure and opposition.

As you can see, this film represents way more than just chocolate. Chocolate is used in both a literal and metaphorical/symbolic sense, that then also connects to the French culture that is portrayed within the film.



Sources:

Keller, James R. Food, Film, and Culture. A Genre Study. McFarland, 2006. p.24-36.
https://www.tvguide.com/movies/chocolat/134729/
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/chocolat
https://cinema-fanatic.com/2010/08/09/oscar-vault-monday-chocolat-2000-dir-lasse- hallstrom/



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