X
  • 2004
  • Not Rated
  • Strand Releasing
  • 1 h 37 m
  • 2004
  • Not Rated
  • Strand Releasing
  • 1 h 37 m
Proteus

Summary An exquisite, romantic period piece that skillfully explores the intersections of sex, race and politics. Set in South Africa in the eighteenth century and based on real events, the story concerns young livestock herder, Claas Blank, who is unjustly arrested and sentenced to hard labor, where he crosses paths with a Dutch sailor. Despite...

Directed By: John Greyson, Jack Lewis

Written By: John Greyson, Jack Lewis

  • 2004
  • Not Rated
  • Strand Releasing
  • 1 h 37 m
  • 2004
  • Not Rated
  • Strand Releasing
  • 1 h 37 m

Proteus

Metascore Mixed or Average Based on 11 Critic Reviews
47
User Score Available after 4 ratings
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Summary An exquisite, romantic period piece that skillfully explores the intersections of sex, race and politics. Set in South Africa in the eighteenth century and based on real events, the story concerns young livestock herder, Claas Blank, who is unjustly arrested and sentenced to hard labor, where he crosses paths with a Dutch sailor. Despite...

Directed By: John Greyson, Jack Lewis

Written By: John Greyson, Jack Lewis

Top Cast

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Critic Reviews

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Metascore
Mixed or Average Based on 11 Critic Reviews
47
36% Positive
4 Reviews
36% Mixed
4 Reviews
27% Negative
3 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
Mixed or Average Based on 11 Critic Reviews
47
36% Positive
4 Reviews
36% Mixed
4 Reviews
27% Negative
3 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
80
The story of lust, love and betrayal intriguingly bemoans racism and prejudice of bygone times while peppering the “history” with more modern references.
FULL REVIEW
70
This unusually rich film tackles not only the social structuring of criminality and sexuality but race as well, and explores the ways science has been used to justify the ruthless pursuit of market interests and, eventually, apartheid itself.
By Ken Fox FULL REVIEW
63
John Greyson and Jack Lewis' experimental drama, about two prisoners who have a dangerous affair, is a challenging, flawed look at a little-known slice of history.
By Elizabeth Weitzman FULL REVIEW
50
Ultimately, the sex scenes seem of far more interest to the filmmakers than the narrative or characterizations, which are rendered in frustratingly vague and often deliberately confusing fashion.
By Frank Scheck FULL REVIEW
40
Proteus carries an air of forced-wit experimentation that never quite gets its anachronisms in order -- this 18th-century tale features a Jeep, a radio, and female court reporters with typewriters and bouffant hairdos.
By Chuck Wilson FULL REVIEW
38
This Canadian-South African labor of love has its heart in the right place, even if the leads seem to have been cast more for their hunky looks than their stiff acting.
By Lou Lumenick FULL REVIEW
25
Takes its name from the king protea, the national flower of South Africa. The stunning, artichoke-like shrub may be fragrant, but the movie's pretty much a stinker.
FULL REVIEW

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Details

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Production Company Big World Cinema, Corus Entertainment, Idol Pictures, Movie Central Network, Pluck Productions, Showcase, The Movie Network, The National Film and Video Foundation of SA, Téléfilm Canada
Release Date Jul 30, 2004
Duration 1 h 37 m
Rating Not Rated
Genres
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Awards

Festróia - Tróia International Film Festival
• 1 Nomination

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