Proteus is a 2003 romantic drama film by Canadian director John Greyson. The film, based on an early 18th century court record from Cape Town, explores the romantic relationship between two prisoners, one black (Khoikhoi) and one Dutch-born white, at Robben Island in South Africa in the 18th century.Although the film premiered at the 2003 Toronto International Film Festival, it did not have a general theatrical release until 2005.