Award winning New Zealand movie to play in Revelstoke
Critically acclaimed movie, The Dark Horse (2014) tells the true story of professor Genesis Potini, a brilliant chess player and bipolar disorder sufferer, who starts teaching chess to at risk youth. Performing Arts Centre on February 22.
Based on the true story of Genesis Potini, a Maori New Zealander, The Dark Horse has been universally praised as being both a beautiful and engaging film.
A brilliant former speed chess champion, Genesis has spent years in and out of psychiatric institutions. His struggle with bipolar disorder has been devastating. Recently released from his latest lengthy stay, Genesis attempts to rebuild old familial relationships. This is complicated by his brother and young nephew being involved in the rougher underbelly of gangs in New Zealand.
Attempting to put his life back together, rebuild his fragile mental state and contribute to his community, Genesis convinces the Eastern Knights, a chess group for at risk youth, to let him coach. With his nephew in tow, Genesis must fight his brother for both his nephew’s, and the club’s, future.
The story of Genesis, his troubled psyche, his effort to spread his knowledge of chess and pride of his Maori heritage, was previously explored in the 2003 documentary Dark Horse. Despite a life interrupted by numerous admittances to hospitals and institutions, through his work with the Eastern Knights (which in reality he founded with two friends) Genesis made massive contributions to his community.
Considered by New Zealand critics to be one of the greatest New Zealand movies ever made, The Dark Horse has garnered nominations and awards at the 2014 Asia Pacific Screen Awards and film festivals throughout 2015. On the Rotten Tomatoes movie critic aggregate, the film has a 97% fresh rating.
Actor Cliff Curtis plays the titular role of Genesis. To bring the gravatis of Genesis to life, the actor underwent a physical transformation, gaining 60 pounds.
The Dark Horse has been called “outstanding…a Kiwi – and largely Maori – work of the highest artistic excellence.” Variety Magazine praised it as “exceptional…deserving cinematic export.” Indiewire concluded the film to be “moving and incredibly humanistic.”
Event details:
The Dark Horse, Wednesday, February 22 at 7:30 p.m.
Revelstoke Performing Arts Centre on 1007 Vernon Avenue.
Tickets: revelstokeartscouncil.bigcartel.com
Tickets $8, Three Film Pass $20, Six Film Pass $30
What did you think of this story?
Your feedback after we publish a story helps ensure we're always improving our reporting to better serve you
Related Articles
Wastewater treatment plant upgrades set to future-proof facility for 2 decades
Plans to include Big Eddy residents and businesses into the updated facility still in the early stages, city director of engineering says.
Revelstoke granted $200,000 to rework development guidelines
Clarifying building requirements is key in speeding up development approvals, director of development services says.
More childcare spaces needed as families face estimated $35,000 income impact annually
Revelstoke Child Care Society still has over 160 families waitlisted as plans to expand into Okanagan College building take shape.