In the Film ” The Dark Horse” Directed by James Napier Robertson An important scene is when Genesis, an older man that struggles with mental health problems at times but has friendly personality, tells the story of Maui to the children. Robertson uses a number of techniques in the film, such as Camera shots, camera angle, dialogue/symbolism.These Techniques are used in an important seen when gen is telling the children about the story of Maui, and the about the rules of chess. It shows how  this chess club is like a family that are protecting their land, just as the chess pieces do.

In the film “The Dark Horse” directed by James Napier Robertson a common film technique used in the scene about Maui is the various camera shots used to display Gen and the children. The scene is first started off with a close up of genesis looking over the city lights at night. This then rolls into a medium shot of Gen. Gen is explaining to the kids the story of their ancestor Maui. A close up shot the children’s faces are shown, their faces are interested in the story. The camera then switches back to gen for a couple seconds before showing a close up shot of the chess pieces and the chess board. Multiple mid shots are then displayed of the children playing friendly games of chess against each other. A full shot is then seen near the end of the scene, all the children in the chess club are surrounding Gen while he tells the story and talks about the chess pieces. The starting scene of Gen shows how gen has a strong connection to chess and is determined to teach these kids. Close ups shots of the children’s faces shows how happy and interested they are because they now having a goal and are learning and listening, which they do not do often. The mid shots of the children playing chess show how Gen has had a large effect on their life and how calm and controlled the children are now. The final of all the kids huddling around Gen listening to him how everyone in this club as is very close to each other and they are all friends and have made a family. This Shows the viewer how important the cheese pieces are and what gen gen is having a big positive influence the children. Gen has made new friends and brought the kids closer together shows how they are all like a family. In my opinion I like how Roberson used multiple camera shots to display how gen has made new friends and given meaning stability the these children’s lives.

In the film “The Dark Horse” directed by James Napier Robertson a another film technique use is angle shots. In the scene of Gen telling the story of Maui and the chess pieces their is a camera angle used throughout the scene with a couple different angle used couple times in the scene. The angle shot is a low angle shot showing the chess bored children are playing on.  The main angle use is an eye level shot and is used among the children standing watching and playing. This has a big effect on the viewer, making the viewer feel their their in scene standing with the children watching all the games being played. It feels comfortable and happy like you could be peacefully be playing chess with everyone else in the scene. I believe that the directors, James Napier Robertson, purpose for using this angle shot to make the room and environment scene friendly and peaceful. In my opinion it teaches the viewer how having friends and something to do and goal to work towards can keep young people from doing irresponsible things and keep them peaceful and happy and out of trouble.

In the film “The Dark Horse” some more film techniques are dialogue and symbolism, these are shown in the the scene when Gen tells the story of Maui. The music used in this scene is light and peaceful. This makes the viewer feel calm and comfortable. The viewer can also hear Gen telling the story of Maui. In this story he talks about how Maui pulled up the land of Aotearoa, and how he was the leader of his people and they were all family. Symbolism is also used here as he relates the story the chessboard and the chess pieces. Gen explains how the board is like Aotearoa and we have to protect Aotearoa because it is the land we all live on. Maui is the king just like the king in chess, and the other chess pieces are part of his family that pulled up the land. The family is like the children in the chess club. This helps the kids have inspiration and meaning towards their goal. These techniques are used effectively together because they are both used simultaneously. These techniques give the feeling of family and friendship to the viewer. Robertson purpose of using both techniques is boost the feeling of family and friendship.

In conclusion the film “the dark horse” The director James Napier Robertson shows the problem of young kids without homes and good parents going down the wrong path. Robertson used the techniques such as, camera shots, camera angle, dialogue and symbolism. Robertson uses these technique to display the family and friendship. It teaches the viewer how fun and happy it is to have good friends theater as so close you called them your family or whanau, and to work towards an a goal in the future.