Queen of Katwe

Director: Mira Nair Mira Nair

Overview

This biopic of Ugandan chess prodigy Phiona Mutesi (Madina Nalwanga) traces her journey from the Kampala slum of Katwe, where she is forced to abandon her formal schooling at the age of nine, to the upper echelons of the chess world after she develops an interest in the game at a youth-outreach program run by Robert Katende (David Oyelowo). Lupita Nyong'o co-stars as Mutesi's mother, who worries that her daughter's dreams of becoming a chess champion are a frivolous distraction from real life. Produced as a joint venture between Disney and ESPN Films, Queen of Katwe was directed by Mira Nair (Monsoon Wedding), and was adapted from a nonfiction book by sportswriter Tim Crothers, who became acquainted with Mutesi's story while on assignment for ESPN.

Product Details

Release Date:	01/31/2017
UPC:	0786936851595
Original Release:	2016
Rating:	PG
Source:	Walt Disney Video
Region Code:	1
Presentation:	[Wide Screen]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Stereo, Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround]
Language:	English
Time:	2:04:00
Sales rank:	6,773

Special Features

Audio commentary-with director Mira Nair.; Alicia Keys "Back to Life" lyric video; Young Cardamon & Hab "#1 Spice" music video-the Ugandan hip-hop duo bring the flavor in a music video directed by Mira Nair.

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Lupita Nyong'o	Harriet Mutesi
David Oyelowo	Robert Katende
Ntare Mwine	Tendo
Madina Nalwanga	Phiona Mutesi
Martin Kabanza	Mugabi Brian
Taryn "Kay" Kyaze	Actor,Actor
Ivan Jacobo	Young Richard
Nicolas Levesque	Older RIchard
Ronald Ssemaganda	Ivan
Ethan Nazario Lubega	Benjamin
Nikita Waligwa	Gloria
Edgar Kanyike	Joseph
Esther Tebandeke	Sara Katende,Doctor
Hope Katende	Actor
Philip Luswata	Minister Aloysius Kyazze
Peter Odeke	Enoch Barumba
Maurice Kirya	Theo
Nhlahla "Minkey" Ndlovu	Man on Boda
Jack Kinobe Sserunkuuma	Mr. Wilson
Irene Kulabako Kakembo	Mrs. Kimbale
Allen Musumba	Zesiro
Rori Motuba	Actor
Aaron Moloisi	Rwabushenyi Official
Akin Omotoso	Rwabushenyi President
Maggie Benedict	Chess Federation Secretary
Rehema Nanfuka	Nurse
Charles Mulekwa	Hospital Administrator
Lele Ledwaba	Budo Secretary
Jonathan Diabaig	Benjamin's Opponent
Flory Kegbia	Gloria's Opponent
Linda Radebe	Brian's Opponent
Warren Ncube	Pritchard
Siyabonga Xaba	Pritchard's Friend
Joanitta Bewulira	Mrs. Gali,Katende's Mother
Elizabeth Kirabo	Actor
Carina Nel	Kagramanov
Ivy Komukyeya	Phiona's Fans
Charity Rose Pimer	Phiona's Fans
Aida Mbowa	Snooty Lady in Car
Jessica Mazzi	Manicure Lady
Isaac Muwawu Gwayambadde	Corn Farmer
Sheebah Karungi	Shakira
Okuyo Joel Atiku Prynce	Ggaba Merchant
Richard Tuwangye	Dez
Zohran Kwame Mamdani	Bookie Student
Lukenge Yusuf	Bricklayer
Peter Musibira	Kikomando Kid
Sarah Nansubuga	Geography Teacher
Teslim Animashaun	Chief Guest
Lezon Mark Mugwanya	Julius
David Kisakye Kagwa	Young Katende
Sarah Kisauzi	Katende's Grandmother
Rori Mortuba	Christine Namaganda
Lupita Nyongo'o	Actor
Alex Heffes	Composer

Technical Credits

William Wheeler

Mira Nair	Director
William Wheeler	Screenwriter
John B. Carls	Producer,Producer
Lydia Dean Pilcher	Producer
Genevieve Hofmeyr	Producer
Daniel Silverberg	Executive Producer
William W. Weiske III	Executive Producer
Connor Schell	Executive Producer
Troy Buder	Executive Producer
Blake Leyh	Sound/Sound Designer
Dinaz Stafford	Casting
Christa Schamberger	Casting
Shaheen Baig	Casting
Yvonne Isimeme Ibazebo	Production Manager
Janine VanAssen	Production Manager
Nico Louw	Sound Mixer
Cordell McQueen	Stunts,Special Effects Supervisor
Daniel Silver	Executive Producer

Editorial Reviews

Disney's latest sports drama, Queen of Katwe, follows the real-life story of Phiona Mutesi, a young Ugandan girl born into poverty who becomes a chess champion. The film begins in 2007: Phiona (the wonderful Madina Nalwanga) lives with her mother Nakku Harriet (Lupita Nyong'o), brothers Mugabi Brian (Martin Kabanza) and Richard (Ivan Jacobo), and sister Night (Taryn "Kay" Kyaze) in the slums of Katwe, where the family sells corn on the street to make ends meet. One day, Phiona discovers a gathering of local children who are learning how to play chess from Robert Katende (David Oyelowo). Although she is initially hesitant (especially when she is bullied by a few kids), Phiona is intrigued enough to return the next day, and quickly realizes her aptitude for chess. Katende, lovingly dubbed "Coach" by the children, recognizes and takes a special interest in Phiona's talent. Throughout the film, Katende navigates obstacles such as a lack of funding and prejudice in order to provide his charges with the opportunity to participate in increasingly high-level chess competitions -- all while trying to make the best decisions for himself and his own family. David Oyelowo's performance is earnest and heartfelt, and it is refreshing to see Katende serving less as Phiona's savoir and more as her mentor and pillar of support. Queen of Katwe's story arc relies on many of the tropes typical of underdog sports movies, but it handles them in nontraditional ways. Many of the problems facing Phiona and her family are unfamiliar to Western viewers, and the film touches on some heavy, yet deeply important and relevant topics that are rarely, if ever, explored in wide-release pictures. For example, Phiona is illiterate because her mother cannot afford to send her or her siblings to school. Although she eventually learns to read, her lack of formal education is integral to the message that everyone, no matter what their initial lot in life, can excel when given the right opportunities and support. The script occasionally loses its subtlety as it delivers this moral, but it is important to remember that this PG-rated film is aimed at a younger audience. Familial bonds, particularly the mother-daughter relationship between Phiona and Nakku, are emphasized throughout the film as Phiona tries to balance her life in the slums with her goal of becoming a chess champion. Lupita Nyong'o's talent is no secret, and it is a treat to watch her flourish in this multifaceted and complicated leading role; her portrayal of a mother who wants to nourish her children's dreams while remaining aware of the harsh reality they live in -- and the fears that come with it -- is undoubtedly worthy of the highest praise. Queen of Katwe is the one of the few wide-release movies to tell an inspirational story set in modern-day Africa that isn't centered on animals or war and bloodshed. In less capable hands, Phiona's story could easily have been a bland rags-to-riches tale that glosses over the setbacks and real-world anxieties and challenges that come with giving up one's status quo to achieve a dream, but director Mira Nair (The Namesake, Monsoon Wedding) has managed to make a wonderful film that is ultimately thoughtful, heartwarming, and relatable. The world needs more movies about people like Phiona -- stories of smart and strong young women from all walks of life, born on different continents, who overcome difficult circumstances in order to achieve their highest ambitions.