Ivory Tower

Hershell and Thadeus, two chess-playing brothers and their rivalry over the chessboard and a woman. Hershell is a chess purist, the prodigal son, Thadeus a disciplined, ruthless competitor. Hershell spent four nomadic years in Europe, in quixotic pursuit of ”Jazz Chess”: chess for chess’ sake, reduced to pure movement. No winner, no loser. When he returns home, Thadeus is the Canadian Chess Champion, financially successful and arrogant. Thadeus is also engaged to Marsha, Hershell’s former sweetheart. Discouraged by his prospects (Jazz Chess doesn’t attract the acclaim or investors he was hoping for) and wanting Marsha back, Hershell challenges Thadeus for the upcoming championship. The gauntlet is thrown down. –Locarno Film Festival