Undoubtedly one of New Zealand's greatest films, this is a powerful story, based on actual events, centred around a troubled man – Genesis Potini – (played to perfection by Cliff Curtis) whose obsession with chess leads him to find to not only his own place to stand with pride and dignity in the face of debilitating mental illness but challenges and uplifts others as well. Yes, it is a world where there is violence and unbridled language but there is also a passion to help others and not succumb to intense pressures that ultimately de-humanise people. Chess may not be the ultimate answer to all problems but it is an unlikely way forward to hope for those (especially young people) who respond to Genesis' challenge.