The Dark Horse

  • 124'
  • New Zealand
  • 2014
In its own country, New Zealand drama The Dark Horse has been described by critics as one of the best films to emerge from that country in recent years. This powerful drama tells the true and turbulent story of Genesis Potini, a New Zealander suffering from bipolar disorder who died in 2011. In a society in which it is difficult for a lot of young people to resist the temptation to stray from the straight and narrow, Potini tries to keep young people on track through chess. This involves overcoming the challenges of his condition and at times some pretty nasty criminals as well.

The Dark Horse is buoyed by great acting from Cliff Curtis, familiar from Whale Rider (2002) and Once Were Warriors (1994). The directing by young filmmaker James Napier Robertson, who also wrote the screenplay, also impresses. This film is often comical, at times raw, but above all intensely poignant. The Dark Horse is a film that resonates long after you leave the cinema.
With Big Talk on Fri 23/1 in the cinema of Oude Luxor. Winner Audience Award & MovieZone Award 2015.
  • 124'
  • New Zealand
  • 2014
Director
James Napier Robertson
Country of production
New Zealand
Year
2014
Festival Edition
IFFR 2015
Length
124'
Medium
DCP
Language
English
Producer
Tom Hern
Production Company
Four Knights Film
Sales
Seville International
Screenplay
James Napier Robertson
Cinematography
Denson Baker
Editor
Peter Roberts, Annie Collins
Production Design
Kim Sinclair
Sound Design
Nick Buckton
Music
Dana Lund
Cast
Cliff Curtis, James Rolleston
Local Distributor
Imagine Filmdistributie Nederland
Website
http://thedarkhorsefilm.com
Director
James Napier Robertson
Country of production
New Zealand
Year
2014
Festival Edition
IFFR 2015
Length
124'
Medium
DCP
Language
English
Producer
Tom Hern
Production Company
Four Knights Film
Sales
Seville International
Screenplay
James Napier Robertson
Cinematography
Denson Baker
Editor
Peter Roberts, Annie Collins
Production Design
Kim Sinclair
Sound Design
Nick Buckton
Music
Dana Lund
Cast
Cliff Curtis, James Rolleston
Local Distributor
Imagine Filmdistributie Nederland
Website
http://thedarkhorsefilm.com