WoW, what a sensational powerful story .. the plot is engaging and growing perfectly with so much heightened emotions. the script looks tight and connected and for a young man as James Napier Robertson to be writing and directing such a masterpiece is really outstanding.,. with many intense scenes distributed in balance over the two hours.

Honestly, this project turned out to be so much better than i expected , when i thought it was all produced in New Zealand which i can't recall i'v ever watched a movie of sorts. but they've really got so much potentials could even compete Hollywood. yeah i had a bit of trouble understanding some sentences because they really speak in a vague intriguing fast way but i managed it and understood it all and i surely felt the story to its end.

As for the cast,, i love Cliff Curtis , he is one of few from outside of the states who were able to shine and make a solid name for themselves in the film industry ,, so bravo for him.. as for the other members ,, the kids performance was commendable as for the others.

The only thing which you might agree or you might not , is see the production was spot on and perfect but i kinda started thinking what if it's been produced and directed in Hollywood !! would it overpower the level of Foxcatcher which i think it was one of the best Biography/Drama last year !! but again it doesn't mean here as is it wasn't good because it went perfectly.

Stamp recommended ;)

A touching film based on real-life chess player and teacher Genesis Potini, a true underdog in so many respects - suffering mental health issues, homeless, and a member of the minority Maori in New Zealand. In the film, he faces conflict from parents who distrust him, and more significantly, from his own brother, who wants his son initiated into the gang he belongs to instead of taking up chess.

The performances here are brilliant - Cliff Curtis as Genesis, Wayne Hapi as his brother, and James Rolleston as the son all have big moments and pull them off beautifully. There is such a natural feeling to everything we see, and while the film is uplifting, it's not cloying. We see the real effect of Genesis's condition and we see the brutality of the gang, and it's not overdone either, so the film is balanced. It leads us along to a big tournament in Auckland and I suppose it's predictable in that way, but how the conflict between the brothers, gang members, and the young man plays out is told with a great deal of restraint, which is to director James Napier Robertson's credit. I also loved the little bits of Maori legend that were sprinkled in.

In New Zealand, Genesis Potini (Cliff Curtis) is a former chess player struggling with mental issues. In a rundown gang-infested neighborhood, he teaches the local kids chess and starts a team called The Eastern Knights.

It's a nice performance from Cliff. Obviously, he's a great actor and his good work is not surprising. It's based on a real person. It's a compelling character although the plot isn't much. It needs more from at least one of the kids to hook in the audience. The tournament drama suffers without the kids' background. It needs more from the other actors. Overall, this is a fine character study by an exceptional actor.