Proteus R

An historical drama based on the true story of a homosexual love affair in South Africa during the 18th Century, PROTEUS unfolds within the confines of a Cape Town penal colony. Rijkhaart Jacobsz (Neil Sandilands) is a Dutch sailor who has been locked up for violating the strict laws against homosexuality, which at the time treated it as a crime worse than murder. Khoi herder Claas Blank (Rouxnet Brown) is a member of the lowest caste; cleared of his charges, he is nonetheless being forced to serve a 10-year sentence just for being arrested. Despite the strong taboos regarding interracial relationships, the two had an affair that spanned 10 years, but it was eventually discovered, and they were placed on trial. The film--a collaboration between Canadian John Greyson and South African Jack Lewis--is based to a large extent on the court transcripts of these proceedings, with the resulting picture providing a moving exploration of a number of themes that have shaped gay history.