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Proteus is a historical drama film, released in 2003, directed by John Greyson and Jack Lewis. The movie explores the story of two men, Rijkhaart Jacobsz (played by Rouxnet Brown) and Pieter van der Meer (played by Shaun Smyth), who are seventeenth-century prisoners on a Dutch ship sailing to Jakarta. The ship's mission is to establish a Dutch colony on an island in the East Indies. The movie is based on the true story of Rijkhaart Jacobsz, who was one of the first recorded gay men in history.

The movie is set in the 17th century, at the height of Dutch imperialism, and features a rich historical backdrop. Proteus is a visual masterpiece, featuring stunning locations in South Africa, where the movie was filmed. The movie primarily takes place on the ship, where the two protagonists, Rijkhaart and Pieter, are imprisoned. The two men come from different backgrounds, with Rijkhaart being a sailor and Pieter being a scholar, but they quickly form a close bond that defies societal norms.

The movie starts with the arrival of Rijkhaart and Pieter on the ship. The captain of the ship treats the two prisoners brutally, and they are subjected to physical violence and sexual assault. However, as time passes, Rijkhaart and Pieter begin to see the beauty of the ocean and form a bond. The two share their fascinations with the sea and their visions of home. Soon, their bond deepens into a love affair, which is forbidden at the time. The discovery of their love, combined with their previous crimes, puts their lives in serious danger.

Despite their circumstances, Rijkhaart and Pieter remain resilient and continue to support each other. They also befriend a slave, Claas Blank (played by Neil Sandilands), who is also on the ship. Claas is a skilled gardener and teaches the two men about the local flora and fauna. Through his teachings, the two prisoners become acutely aware of the cruelty and injustice of colonialism.

Proteus is an allegory for the dangers of colonialism and its impact on different cultures. The movie presents a scathing critique of European imperialism and the harm it caused to indigenous populations. The relationships between the three characters, Rijkhaart, Pieter, and Claas, illustrate the devastating impact of colonization on different groups of people. The movie shows how, despite coming from different backgrounds, the three characters are subjected to different forms of oppression under the colonial system.

Proteus is a deeply emotional movie that showcases the beauty of friendship and love amidst adversity. The movie is a tribute to the resilience of the human spirit, and the power of love to transcend societal norms. The movie has received critical acclaim for its cinematic beauty and its poignant portrayal of historical events. The cinematography is stunning, and the movie captures the majesty of the ocean and the power of colonialism.

In conclusion, Proteus is an excellent historical drama film that tells a moving story of love, friendship, and resistance in the face of oppression. The movie presents a scathing critique of colonialism and highlights the beauty of diversity and cultural differences. The powerful performances of the lead actors, combined with the visually stunning cinematography, make Proteus a must-watch movie for fans of historical drama.

Proteus is a 2003 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 40 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4 and a MetaScore of 47.