Background

 

Chocolate’s history has been undermined by its intake but it has not always been this way. In the Classic Period, chocolate was not only served as a drink, but practiced as a way of life (FMNH 1). Its roots can be traced to the ancient peoples of Mesoamerica who used chocolate during religious and social practices (FMNH 1). In the film Chocolat the character Vianne can be paralleled with the Mesoamericans as her life is also based around chocolate. Vianne and her daughter Anouke depend on chocolate as a means of survival and agitate the town’s people with their flaunting of the desirable food. The store’s opening day could not be in more favor of their disliking as the town’s people begin to celebrate Lent, and shun anything of pleasure. As the stir of her shop boils, Vianne meets many people in the town who ignore the calling of the church to avoid pleasure. They immediately take delight into Vianne and her creations as the controversy surrounding the shop ensues.