Fifteen years ago, Mel (Madeleine Sami) and Jen (Jackie van Beek) discovered they were being two-timed by the same man. Bitter and cynical they became fast friends and formed The Breaker Upperers, a small-time business breaking up couples for cash.

Now they’re in their late-thirties and business is booming. They’re a platonic, codependent couple who keep their cynicism alive by not getting emotionally involved with anybody else. But when they run into an old victim, Mel develops a conscience and their friendship is truly put to the test. ©Miss Piki Films Limited 2018 Director: Jackie Van Beek and Madeleine Sami

To enter this great competition just fill in the entry form below. Please note – these tickets are for a specific screening only and can not be exchanged or refunded. The winners will need to be available on Wednesday July 25 at 6:30pm in Brisbane to be able to attend this screening at Event Cinemas Garden City Brisbane.

Competition will be drawn 24 July 2018, winners will be notified by email.

Jon, a charming but out-of-luck novelist, musters the bravery needed to try and win back the love of his life by surprising her at a friend’s wedding. One problem: he’s in Auckland and the wedding is in Wellington.

After a failed attempt to make the journey south in his bomby Holden, Jon hitches a ride with Luke, a sparky young dude driving a fancy new (and, unbeknownst to Jon, stolen) yellow MINI Cooper…

Soon after, undercover vegan-activist Keira climbs through the fast food drive-through window into the MINI bound for Wellington and the Blondini gang of three are formed. As they journey south, the most epic road trip of their lives ensues.

To add to Jon’s romantic struggles, he and his two new mates become accidental outlaws on-the-run and soon have a frenzy of police and media hot in their pursuit… In cinemas May 4.

Competition will be drawn 3 May 2017, winners will be notified by mail.

Pretty as a picture in his cardigan, trackie daks and red Crocs, Gen’s severe bipolar disorder sees him frequently institutionalised as he struggles with the norms of society. Released into the care of his brother, Gen is thrust back into the violent gang environment into which he was born but his iron determination to overcome his disability and help others sees him use his substantial chess playing ability to help disadvantaged youth avoid an inevitable path of violence and crime.

The Dark Horse has inevitably been compared to the great Maori film, Once Were Warriors, but in reality it is much closer to its sequel, What Becomes of the Broken Hearted, in terms of its tone and its theme of breaking the cycle of social violence. And it is a better film than What Becomes of the Broken Hearted as well. Of course The Dark Horse benefits from not being a direct sequel to a wonderful (and violent) predecessor and also a feel-good happy ending.

After being a Hollywood ethnic everyman in his early career (Vis-a-vis Three Kings and The Insider), it’s always nice to see Cliff Curtis return to a native Maori role and this one is a cracker! Piling on the kilos Raging Bull-style is testament to Curtis’ conviction to the project but it is his quiet, confident internal performance which shines through. It’s an explicitly non-violent performance which (somewhat paradoxically) exudes strength and courage. James Rolleston who played the title role in Taika Waititi’s Boy also stars.

The Dark Horse is an inspiring true story with a wonderful central performance. It is a film not to be missed.

Stuart Jamieson
www.thedarkhorsefilm.com