Making Their Next Moves: Broad Green Pictures Up for the Challenge with “The Dark Horse”

Their TIFF purchasing blitz wasn’t exactly over and done with. After Samba, 99 Homes and Eden, Broad Green Pictures have now added a touch of New Zealand in James Napier Robertson’s The Dark Horse. Yesterday, the distrib released their inaugural release slate with Mia Hansen-Løve’s latest being pushed out of the nest first — you can view the half dozen releases after the jump.

Gist: Starring Cliff Curtis, this is a true story based on the life of a charismatic, brilliant but little-known New Zealand Hero and chess champion – Genesis Potini, aka Gen.

Worth Noting: Robertson’s little known directorial debut is 2009’s I’m Not Harry Jenson.

Do We Care?: We’d normally not be inclined to see anything that groups feel-good, underdogs, chess and biopic elements, but Variety’s Peter Debruge appears to be a solid supporter calling this, “a stunning yet subtle Cliff Curtis performance, an inspirational true story and a lively directorial touch make for a winning combination.”

EDEN: Director Mia Hansen-Løve’s affecting trip into the 90s Parisian electronic dance movement experienced through the eyes of DJ groups Cheers and Daft Punk who, together with their friends, plunge into the ephemeral nightlife of sex, drugs, and endless music. Release Date: June 19

10,000KM: One couple, one year apart and two distant cities: Los Angeles and Barcelona. From award-winning director Carlos Marques-Marcet, comes a love story about the challenges of a long distance relationship and the role of technology in fighting to keep a romance alive. Release Date: July 10

LEARNING TO DRIVE: Academy Award nominee Patricia Clarkson and Academy Award winner Ben Kingsley star in this feel-good comedy about two seeming opposites at a crossroads. Release Date: August 21

A WALK IN THE WOODS: In this acclaimed comedy adventure, Robert Redford and Nick Nolte star as two old friends who instead of settling into their sunset years, decide to hike the 2,000 plus miles of the Appalachian Trail. Based on the best-selling memoir of celebrated travel humorist Bill Bryson and directed by Ken Kwapis, the film co-stars Emma Thompson, Mary Steenburgen, Nick Offerman and Kristen Schaal. Release Date: September 2

BREAK POINT: Two estranged brothers (Jeremy Sisto and David Walton) reunite to make an improbable run at a grand slam tennis tournament. The comedy also stars J.K Simmons, Amy Smart, Joshua Rush and Adam Devine. Release Date: September 4

99 HOMES: In this timely thriller, when single father Dennis Nash (Golden Globe nominee Andrew Garfield) is evicted from his home, his only chance to win it back is to work for Rick Carver (Academy Award nominee Michael Shannon), the ruthless businessman who evicted him in the first place. It’s a deal-with-the-devil that may save his family home; but as Nash falls deeper into Carver’s web, he finds his situation grows more brutal and dangerous than he ever imagined. Release Date: September 25