The Dark Horse – 8PM

The Dark Horse

Screening: Thursday, August 18, 2016 – 8 pm
Location: Uptown Theatre, 55 Dunlop Street West, Barrie
Written and directed by: James Napier Robertson
Cast: Cliff Curtis, James Rolleston, Andrew Grainger and Miriama McDowell
Drama, 14A for coarse language, substance abuse and violence, 124 minutes (New Zealand)
Tickets: $10 Adults, $8 Seniors/Students

“The Dark Horse” brings Cliff Curtis back home, and he gives a performance that’s transcendent in more ways than one.” Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal

“The Dark Horse rides on the impassioned performance of Cliff Curtis.” – Stephen Holden, New York Times

THE DARK HORSE is based on the true story of Genesis ‘Gen’ Potini (Cliff Curtis), a Maori speed-chess champion seeking redemption and a new purpose in life despite his struggles with bipolar disorder. A former chess prodigy, Gen is brilliant and charismatic, bringing unusual, potent energy to a game most often played with quiet reserve. Upon his release from an institution, he is remanded into the custody of his older brother Ariki (Wayne Hapi), the leader of a rough street gang planning the initiation of Gen’s reluctant teenage nephew Mana (James Rolleston). When Gen volunteers to coach the ragtag young members of the Eastern Knights chess club, Mana is inspired by his uncle’s determination to bring hope to the children of the club and turn his troubled life around, while seeing it as a chance to possibly save his own.

Awards:
Won, Best Director, Art Film Festival, 2015
Won, Best Performance-Actor, Cliff Curtis, Asia Pacific Screen Awards, 2014
Won, Best Actor-Cliff Curtis, Dublin Film Critics Circle Awards, 2015
Won, Truly Moving Picture Award, Heartland Film, 2015
Won, Best Film, Best Supporting Actor, Best Actor, Best Director, Best Screenplay for a Feature Film & Best Score, New Zealand Film and TV Awards (II) 2014
Won, Best Screenplay & New Filmmaker of the Year, New Zealand Screen Awards, 2014
Won, Audience Award, San Francisco International Film Festival, 2015

Sponsored by:

Contact the following sponsoring restaurants to make your reservation and inquire about their special Barrie Film Festival Dinner & Movie Menu!