La’Raye Francisco

March 26, 2020

Reel Food and World Cinema

Chocolat

In the film, Chocolat, the main character Vianne, plays the role as the cook, heal, and shaman. She helps multiple characters in the film with her chocolate. Vianne’s, along with her chocolate, offered a solution to many of the characters. For example, Vianne’s chocolate beans brought the spark back to one of the character’s marriage. Her confections brought passion, excitement, and love back into their marriage.

Another example of Vianne’s chocolate solving someone’s problem would be with Vianne’s close friend, Josephine. Josephine was with an abusive husband and decided to leave him. Vianne started a friendship with Josephine when she first gave Josephine some chocolate. Vianne taught her how to make chocolate and in turn she helped her change her life around. She went from a mute, to an expressive woman.

Vianne also helped fix the relationship between her elderly landlady, Armande and her grandson. Armande was a stubborn woman and had an estranged relationship with her daughter. This prevented her from seeing her grandson, Luc. Vianne stepped in and encouraged Luc to come by her shop, Chocolaterie Maya. Vianne’s chocolate also allowed the mayor, Reynaud to find redemption. Her chocolate seemed to be a type of therapy. Not only did he find redemption, but he also found love in the end.

In the article it says that the townspeople, particularly those who have been marginalized, find acceptance, belonging, and rebirth at the Chocolaterie Maya. Vianne Rocher constitutes an alternative spiritual leader who encourages her followers to seek their salvation through pleasure and indulgence. Vianne’s guessing of what her customer’s favorite confection is, is an example of her clairvoyance. This acts as a diagnostic, according to the article. “The pleasure that her customers get from eating her chocolate confections enable her to be labeled a Shaman. Vianne’s chocolate and helping nature allows her to be a cook, a healer, and a Shaman all in one.