The Dark Horse is the story of a Māori former chess champ who must "overcome prejudice and violence in the battle to save his struggling chess club, his family and ultimately, himself". Genesis Potini has a bipolar disorder. His nephew Mana (Boy star James Rolleston) faces being pressed into a gang. A near-unrecognisable Cliff Curtis won international acclaim as Potini. James Napier Robertson's second feature was picked to open the 2014 NZ International Film Festival, and scored six Moa awards, including Best Picture, Director, Actor and Supporting Actor (Rolleston). Overseas, it won many more.
Bravery is contagious.– The tagline for this film
Inspired by Jim Marbrook's documentary Dark Horse
Dedicated to Genesis Potini's son Nopera Kenehi Potini
Financed in association with Fulcrum Media Finance, the NZ Film Commission, the Lottery Grants Board and NZ On Air
Closing credits song 'If You Need Me' composed by Robert Bateman, Wilson Pickett and Sonny Sanders
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