Proteus (2003)

Set against the haunting backdrop of an 18th-century Cape Town penal colony on Robben Island, Proteus unfolds an intoxicating tale of forbidden love and relentless adversity. At the heart of this cinematic odyssey are two unlikely lovers: a Dutch sailor incarcerated for sodomy and a young Khoi herder, a member of the stigmatized Hottentot tribal group, the pariahs of their time. Their decade-long love affair is a defiant dance on the knife edge of social norms, as they navigate the treacherous waters of an era when sodomy was perceived as a crime more heinous than murder. This labyrinth of love and legalities becomes the soul of Greyson and Lewis' film, which draws its lifeblood partly from original court transcripts of the era. In the harsh reality of 1700s South Africa, the sailor and the Khoi herder's clandestine relationship transcends the penal walls, challenging not only the established law but also the societal boundaries of race. Their interracial romance escalates the stakes, weaving a multifaceted narrative that is as complex as it is compelling. Proteus is a poignant testament to enduring love, as it portrays two men who dared to defy the status quo, weathering brutal injustices borne out of their illicit affair. This film paints a vibrant portrait of courage and devotion, where love knows no bounds, and passion defies all odds.

Proteus is a drama movie featuring Rouxnet Brown and directed by John Greyson.

Proteus is currently streaming on Kanopy.