Chocolate (May 17, 2017)

Mariano M. Huezo
Mr. Riley
Martial Arts

We watched the movie Chocolate and it was about a special needs child named Zen. Her mother, Zin, was the daughter of one of the most notorious Thai underworld gang leaders. Zin fell in love with one of the Yakuza's men and a love story like Romeo and Juliet emerges.

Conflict arises between both gangs and Zin's husband was told to leave by Zin so there would be no more problems. The interesting thing I found was that the main character is autistic. She didn't really understand the things around her but she did what was right for the people she loved.

Her adopted family friend, Mike (Moom) was like a caretaker for Zen when the mom was at the hospital for her cancer treatment or when she was too weak to take care of Zen herself.

Throughout the movie, you get to see a lot of colorful personalities and cruel people. It brings out the dangers of joining a gang and how even if you escape, how it can follow you.

The autistic Zin was able to learn martial arts by living next door to a muay thai gym and just from the movies and video games she watched and played. There was never an instant where Zin started a fight. She usually was cornered into the fight and fighting was the only option.

Some examples of black and white were in the movie. The one I noticed the most was when Zen used the sheaths of the katana as weapons. The covers were black and white and it relates to the yin & yang. The good intentions of Zen wanting to protect her mother and the black would represent the anger she felt as she saw her mother killed.

I think we can all learn from this movie when it comes to the expectations of children or adults with special needs that they can succeed and do exceptional things.