A Chequered History: Maori Identity in The Dark Horse

James Napier Robertson's moving tale of triumphing against adversity is inspired by the real-life tribulations of chess player Genesis Potini and his teammates, the Eastern Knights. Susan Bye examines the film's depictions of difference, dislocation and mental disorder as springboards to discuss the sociopolitical struggles still faced by the Maori today.

Additional keywords: Cliff Curtis, James Rolleston, colonialism, postcolonialism, oppression, race, minority, bipolar disorder.