“Queen Of Katwe” tells a story of an Ugandan girl discovering her passion for the game of chess.
Directed by Mira Nair for Disney studios, Queen Of Katwe tells a true story of a young girl from rural Uganda whose everyday activities circle around selling corn. That is until she discovers the game of chess. With the support of her friends and family, Phiona (newcomer Madina Nalwanga) goes on the quest to become an international chess champion.
Its screenplay was written by William Wheeler and is based on a book by Tim Crothers. The film was directed by Mira Nair. In the leading roles we’ll see David Oyelowo as Phiona’s first chess teacher, Lupita Nyong’o as Phiona’s mother, Madina Nalwanga as Phiona.
The film is set to release in the United States on September 23, 2016.
Synopsis: For 10-year-old Phiona Mutesi (Nalwanga) and her family, life in the impoverished slum of Katwe in Kampala, Uganda, is a constant struggle. Her mother, Harriet (Nyong’o), is fiercely determined to take care of her family and works tirelessly selling vegetables in the market to make sure her children are fed and have a roof over their heads. When Phiona meets Robert Katende (Oyelowo), a soccer player turned missionary who teaches local children chess, she is captivated. Chess requires a good deal of concentration, strategic thinking and risk taking, all skills which are applicable in everyday life, and Katende hopes to empower youth with the game. Phiona is impressed by the intelligence and wit the game requires and immediately shows potential. Recognizing Phiona’s natural aptitude for chess and the fighting spirit she’s inherited from her mother, Katende begins to mentor her, but Harriet is reluctant to provide any encouragement, not wanting to see her daughter disappointed. As Phiona begins to succeed in local chess competitions, Katende teaches her to read and write in order to pursue schooling. She quickly advances through the ranks in tournaments, but breaks away from her family to focus on her own life. Her mother eventually realizes that Phiona has a chance to excel and teams up with Katende to help her fulfill her extraordinary potential, escape a life of poverty and save her family.
