the dark horse is the name given to maori man genesis potini
a bipolar sufferer who became a champion speed chess player
he died in 2011 after tirelessly helping maori children to a better life
an inspirational man who's life surely would make an equally great film
the film opens with him stumbling through the rain into a second hand shop
drawn to a ornate chess set, displays his obvious talent and promptly arrested
bailed by his imposing brother and taken to his home also a gang headquarters
his nephew mana then introduced and some argy-bargy about who sleeps where
some tension also in the air about mana's impending coming-of-age gang-joining ritual
his father pushing for it but son and son's uncle wary of the brutality of what that brings
not a happy domestic scene for genesis and he is constantly pill-popping his medication
on one outing he spots a poster promoting a junior chess tournament in auckland
leading to a middle-of-the-night visit to a cousin's place with excited plans
the timing not good but cousin and wife are soon on board with planning
the eastern knights chess club then formed for the local maori kids
a scene of one lesson inside a traditional meeting house very poignant
genesis manages to get mana along to a few lessons and to hang out
but his father is very disapproving and ugly violent scenes ensue
genesis is sent packing and he then becomes effectively homeless
sleeping under a makeshift shelter beside the town's war memorial
it's all very bleak - especially one scene of him sleeping in a downpour
a sense that he is only just hanging on - saved by the mission in his life
his new adoptive family of the chess club providing a sense of purpose
as they practice and raise funds for the big trip mana's life is unraveling
part of the gang initiation involves facial tattoos and a violent robbery
mana a reluctant and unhappy participant in both but with no choice
his father only knows the way of the vagrants - he the gang leader
as the knights leave town for the trip north genesis forces a detour
he rescues mana from the clutches of the gang to join the journey
much happiness as they drive into auckland early on a saturday
then into a 2 day tournament to find the nz junior chess champion
the contrast between the groups of participants quite striking
our maori, towny, earthly, unkempt club from down south
the pakeha, aloof and pristine players from the city opposing
an intentional contrast no doubt but handled quite realistically
the play starts and the tension for genesis (and us) builds up
thankfully (reality is good) most of the knights are eliminated
including mana who this audience member had tipped for fame
but one of the club comes good and eventually wins the big prize
elation abounds - at least until mana's father shows up unexpectedly
hauls him back to base - a sense of dread comes over all involved
sure enough - the final scenes very moving - he has been beaten
but genesis is now empowered and takes on the gang again
the father finally sees a glimmer of right and lets his son go
genesis and mana then seen driving off as close companions
whoa - what a stunning film - another nz film totally delivers
so real - sadly - e.g. the urban scenes of life in the 'burbs
a class of people pretty well left to their own devices
gangs, crime, drug and alcohol abuse the result
and so much more going on in this amazing tale
not the least being the true story of a great man
one who saw hope in the most unusual way
kids playing chess - finding companionship
and with that respect - yep - great film...
