“A must see! A remarkable, riveting and inspiring true story” ~ Pete Hammond, Deadline
“An emotionally potent story of redemption anchored by a heart-piercing lead performance from Cliff Curtis” ~ Michael Rechtshaffen, The Hollywood Reporter
THE DARK HORSE
Based on a True Story
Directed and Written by James Napier Robertson
Starring Cliff Curtis
On DVD, VOD and DIGITAL HD July 12
Written and directed by New Zealander James Napier Robertson (I’m Not Harry Jenson.) and starring Cliff Curtis (“Fear the Walking Dead,”) and James Rolleston (The Dead Lands, Boy), The Dark Horse is available on DVD, VOD and Digital HD July 12. The Dark Horse is an inspiring true story based on the life of charismatic and brilliant chess champion, Genesis Potini (Curtis). His emotionally-charged story is about finding the courage to lead, despite his own struggles and finding purpose and hope in passing on his gift to the children of his community.
The film also stars Sia Trokenheim, Kirk Torrance, Xavier Horan, Miriama McDowell, Baz Te Hira and Wayne Hapi, and was produced by Tom Hern, with Cliff Curtis and Tim White serving as Executive Producers.
Synopsis:
Based on a powerful true story, The Dark Horse is the uplifting portrait of a man searching for the courage to lead, despite his struggles with mental illness. The film features a stunning, award-winning performance by Cliff Curtis (Whale Rider, Blow, “Fear the Walking Dead”) as Genesis “Gen” Potini, a brilliant but troubled New Zealand chess champion who finds purpose by teaching underprivileged children about the rules of chess and life.
After years in and out of mental institutions, Genesis is released into the care of his estranged brother Ariki (Wayne Hapi) and thrust into his volatile gang lifestyle. Seeking to escape this toxic environment, Genesis finds solace by volunteering at the Eastern Knights chess club and sharing his gift with the disadvantaged Maori children of his community. Charismatic and impassioned, Gen encourages the group to train for the upcoming National Chess Championships. But his teaching puts him at odds with his brother when Ariki’s son Mana (James Rolleston) shows an interest in the game – chess is considered a distraction from the teen’s imminent initiation into his father’s gang.
Genesis’s conflict with his brother and the violent gang, along with his ongoing battle with illness, threaten to ruin the hopeful progress Gen has made for himself and the young Eastern Knights. But Genesis’s positivity leads him to always search for light, even when the world seems at its darkest.
THE DARK HORSE (DVD, VOD and DIGITAL HD)
Director: James Napier Robertson
Producers: Tom Hearn
Rating: R for language throughout, and drug use
Runtime: 124 minutes
Website: www.thedarkhorsefilm.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedarkhorsemovie/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thedarkhorsemov
TECHNICAL INFORMATION:
Layers: Dual Layer
Aspect Ratio: Widescreen 2:40:1
Spoken Languages: English; Spanish
Subtitles: English SDH; Spanish
Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1
The Nerds Templar 