Queen of Katwe: a feel good movie that takes
place in Uganda. Katwe is a slum area in the city of Kampala,
Uganda’s capital, and is where the principal characters of this film
reside. Queen of Katwe is based on a true story. At the end
of the film, as the credits are rolling, the actual individuals are introduced
next to the actors who played them. The lead character is Phiona
Mutesi (Madina Nalwanga), a young girl who watches people playing chess and
eventually becomes Uganda’s champion player. We meet Mutesi when she
is 10 years old. The movie takes her through most of her teenage
years. This story is not confined to chess playing. It also
tells the tale of someone coming from poverty, and the physical and mental
obstacles she must overcome as she reaches for her dreams. The film
focuses on Mutesi and her entire family. The mother is played by
Lupita Nyong’o who gives another Oscar caliber performance. The only
other named star is David Oyelowo, who plays Robert Katende, the individual who
teaches the children chess. In the telling of Katende’s story, we
learn why a country such as Uganda struggles despite its many talented
individuals. There are a number of subplots running through this 124
minute film, which is directed by Mira Nar. The screenplay, written by
William Wheeler, is based upon the book by Tim Crothers. This film
shows Uganda’s poverty and its wealth and the myriad problems society and its
individuals must overcome. I highly recommend this film.
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