Chessmates

SYNOPSIS:

Set in the year 1800, ‘Chessmates’ is the story of two noble men competing in a game of chess; one English, the other French, Lord Alistair is on top of a cliff in Dover, Sieur Duplantier a cliff in Calais. Their hired translator, Mr. Nevile, swims back and forth across The English Channel to deliver and translate the moves of each player. As an extravagant metaphor, the character of Mr. Nevile undertakes an inhuman effort so that the two men can communicate and play their game of chess. Oblivious to the monumental effort required of the translator, they play their game while behaving like perfect noble men. Featuring charming characters, ‘Chessmates’ uses humor and a direct cinematic style to deliver a simple message: There is no game if there is no communication.