Kiwi actors Cliff Curtis and James Rolleston admit they developed a love for the game of chess while making their new film.
The pair are the stars of The Dark Horse, the film that launched this year’s New Zealand International Film Festival, which tells the true story of the late Gisborne speed chess champion Genesis Potini.
Though battling bipolar disorder himself, Potini managed to turn around the lives of a group of rebellious local youth, coaching them in chess and leading them to a national championship.
Curtis takes on the lead role of Potini, while Rolleston plays his nephew Mana, who has been brought up surrounded by gangs, drugs and violence.
It was something of a reunion for the pair, who worked together on Boy in 2010. Rolleston was the fresh-faced young hero of the hit film, while Curtis was behind the camera as producer.
“I loved working next to him, eh – it was mean,” says Rolleston of Curtis.
“I learned heaps from him, having him beside me really helped in my performance.”
Curtis says he also learned from his younger counterpart. “He’s just so awesome.”
For Rolleston – who was 12-years-old when he shot to stardom in Boy, and later graced the nation’s TV screens as the face of the Vodafone ads – the role of Mana was a stark contrast to his previous happy-go-lucky character.
“It’s been a good experience for me. I got through a lot of challenges playing this role, a few heavy scenes in there which I
