Posted in: Movies, Recent Updates | Tagged: Cliff Curtis, entertainment, film, Genesis Potini, Glasgow Film Festival, James Napier Robertson, James Rolleston, The Dark Horse, Wayne Hapi

The Dark Horse At The Glasgow Film Festival – A King For A King

By Phil Harris

If The Dark Horse is representative of the quality of the rest of the Glasgow Film Festival then it is going to be an exceptional year. The film, a true story, of Genesis Potini, a man seeking a way to cope with his bipolar disorder and utilising his own skills in chess to not only teach a disenfranchised group of youths the game but, with help, take them to compete in a national chess competition.

The beauty at the heart of the film is it makes no bones about the difficulty Genesis (Gen) has in dealing with his condition and the issues bipolar sufferers have, managing to masterfully portray this from the opening scene through his difficulties accepting and dealing with failure and his quest for positivity. Gen himself is portrayed by Cliff Curtis an actor who throws himself into the part, having put on weight to match Gen's build as well as having spent months living in the role to understand the character. Curtis' performance is wonderful and depicts the man as a gentle giant trying to establish some stability in his world of demons whilst also ensuring the viewer never feels that he could not handle himself.

Supporting him, as his troubled nephew, James Rolleston also shows a distinct sensitivity as he desperately tries to escape the gang culture he was brought up in. However, these established actors are equalled by the surrounding cast, especially Wayne Hapi, as Gen's brother a long standing gang member who is in the process of organising his sons right of passage and indoctrinating him in the ways of the gang.

Equally important to the tale are The Eastern Knights chess club, the group of youths Gen teaches, throwing his whole sense of purpose into achieving this success. His eager excitement in teaching the chess club, not only infusing them but boosting the adults who have placed their tireless hours into trying to make their lives better. Here we meet Michael – the chess prodigy, Noble, Sandy and Jedi – who organised the club and lend their free support and obviously the children – each desperate to be respected for who they are.

Director James Napier Robertson really gets the best out his cast but also directs with a passion which makes The Dark Horse grab your attention and desperately hope that there is a happy conclusion. The sound and sparse music add to the brooding and atmospheric scenes that frame some of the films key moments and which are balanced by those of sheer exultation at achievement and success.

Following the screening we were treated to a Q and A session with Cliff Curtis himself and he talked about researching the role, how he had now taken up chess and how important the film was to the New Zealand public. He also talked in detail and with feeling about bipolar disorder, how the film had been lauded for its portrayal of the condition, and about the man himself and the people who he had affected.

The Dark Horse is a brilliant and inspiring film about a man's struggle with acceptance and chess. It is already being hailed as one of the best films to come from New Zealand and when compared to Once Were Warriors it is indeed its equal. The film is on general release later this year and is recommended for all. Those who have lost that chess spark will get it back on seeing this movie (I certainly did) and Genesis Potini himself may come to be one of New Zealand's new legends of our modern time.

He deserves to be.

Phil Harris (@PhilipGHarris) is a games developer and writer currently working with One Thumb Mobile on their MMORPG Celtic Heroes. He also created Zentorii, helped design Nevistech's Pet Roulette for Android devices and is the story writer for Blazing Griffin's new space strategy game Distant Star: Revenant Fleet. To read more about Phil check out his profile on Indie Teamup.

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