Das Talent des Genesis Potini

Spectacular. What can I say. I saw this film yesterday and I am still emotionally changed by it. Cliff Curtis' portrayal of the main character Genesis is incredible. Every facial movement, gaze and words contain such intent and delivery that it makes you imagine or see what is going on in his mind. The opening scene is stunning directing and DOP work and creates the mood for the entire film.

James Rolleston as Mana is excellent. Very powerful delivery and believable. Same can be said for Wayne Hapi who plays Mana's father Ariki. Kirk Torrance as Noble and the rest of the cast is great.

I also felt a close connection to this film because I grew up in a small town in Australia with people similar to the roles portrayed in this film so I can relate.

Great work, I will see again very soon and can't wait to own it when it is released.

This went straight into my top 5 movies of all time. Powerful story, raw in places. It brought a real depth of emotion and connection to the viewer. Cliff Curtis is a tour De force in this film, the best role I have seen him in. The supporting cast, despite being largely unknown, add a richness to the film, and also an authenticity to the setting. The fact that it is a true story also adds to the film, and made me want to find out more about the lead character, Genesis Potini. Although there are elements of violence, and that can be harrowing, they are tempered by extraordinary scenes of tenderness, and of humor. While the story has a New Zealand setting, it is a film for all people, from all parts of the world. If you are going to see one film this year, this is it. A must see.

Behind the beautiful cinematography, engaging and detailed performances, and deftly-paced editing is a master work of a screenplay. A wholly empathetic protagonist, with his wellbeing so delicately balanced, bombarded by obstacles. The stakes continue to rise, the subplots interweave seamlessly, with the whole story building to a perfectly weighted, moving, climax.

Once filmmakers could be just "good" or "interesting" and pull a crowd to the cinema to see their kitchen-sink dramas. The new Golden Age of television has put paid to that. We get great storytelling and interesting ideas pushing boundaries all the time, delivered on-call to our living rooms. if filmmakers are not making blockbusters, or special effect laden sensual experiences, then the stories must be wonderful and totally captivating to get a crowd in the car and front up with the ticket price. There's no place to hide...

This film is a great reminder of why there is still a place at the cinema for a low budget, domestic drama, they just need to be this good!

I just had the chance to watch this movie at the Shanghai International Film Festival and I went in without knowing what I was getting into as the tickets were purchased for me and I was just tagging along.

Well, it could not have gone better. As a German, I only have a vague knowledge about the social problems that New Zealand is facing but that didn't matter at all. The acting was outstanding to the extend that Cliff Curtis will be on my radar from now on. The movie was beautifully shot and felt very close to reality.The story, which is biographical, brought tears to my eyes.

It revolves around an emotionally unstable Maori named Genesis who has spent a significant part of his life in a mental hospital and who happens to be somewhat of a chess genius. Genesis is granted the chance to leave the mental hospital under the condition that a family member will take care of him. His brother, who leads a vicious gang out in the New Zealand country site, as his last resort is more or less up for the duty and agrees to take him in. What Genesis lacks in social skill he makes up for with enthusiasm. Focused on staying positive to prevent another relapse, which would surely mean the end of his freedom, he joins a local chess club for troubled children and young adults. Genesis quickly breathes life into the club with his addictive enthusiasm and by being the living proof that you don't need a college degree to be smart.His character mesmerized me because he was simply modest, honest and wholehearted in an environment where people with these qualities don't really thrive.

All and all, a truly memorable experience, even if you are not very familiar with the culture in New Zealand!

This film easily ranks as one of the 3-4 greatest films to come out of New Zealand for me.

NZ film has produced some powerful drama over the years, particularly films like Whale Rider, Once Were Warriors and The Piano. IMO, The Dark Horse stands shoulder-to-shoulder with all those and actually exceeds them in some regards.

It's not an easy watch at times, there were moments I felt myself almost having to turn away from the screen... The tension is pretty relentless during periods, and I actually felt exhausted by the end.

But there was also plenty of genuine laugh out loud humour littered throughout, which balanced it all out nicely.

And boy was I glad for the experience. I actually had moments of not wanting to laugh because I was worried it would start me crying...! It was pointless... I ended up doing plenty of both in the end.

An instant NZ classic. Bravo to the filmmakers.