Madina Nalwanga

David Oyelowo

Lupita Nyong'o

Martin Kabanza

Taryn "Kay" Kyaze

Esther Tebandeke

Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine

Ethan Nazario Lubega

Nikita Waligwa

Ronald Ssemaganda

Peter Odeke

Philip Luswata

Joanitta Bewulira-Wandera

Ivan Jacobo

Nicolas Levesque

Babirye Stellah

Edgar Kanyike

Hope Katende

Maurice Kirya

Mira Nair

William Wheeler

Moses Bwayo

Linda Cohen

Barry Alexander Brown

Zohran Kwame Mamdani

Troy Buder

Sean Bobbitt

Dinaz Stafford

Stephanie Carroll

Lydia Dean Pilcher

Will Weiske

Mobolaji Dawodu

Alex Heffes

John B. Carls

Avani Batra

Dan Silver

Atilla Salih Yücer

Michael McCue

Tim Crothers

Melanie Harris

Yvonne Isimeme Ibazebo

Fritz Joubert

Diana Najago

Paula Case

Miles Goodall

Edward Echwalu

Ali Musoke

Isabella Asiimwe

Danie du Toit

Connor Schell

Jeanette Scott

Neville Esterhuizen

Nadine Prigge

Evelyn Gambe

Christopher Damuura

Tumi Poen

Peter Kasaija

Houston Hadden

Mike Topoozian

Thami Nkosi

Nikissi Serumaga

Eniola Dawodu

Dominick Tavella

Eliza Paley

Annie Gaudet

Robyn Aronstam

Arlo Markantonatos

Richard Tugume

Bernard Ennu

Patricia Olwoch

John Ashton Thomas

Cordell McQueen

Andile Vuyolwethu Pakade

Polly Hope

Yahya Chavanga

Simon Rankin

Anne Ford

Trevanna Post

Nicola Graydon-Harris

Blake Leyh

Allen Lau

Marko Costanzo

Emerson Nosek

Emmanuel Chonco Sithole

Heather Gross

Kenneth Fletcher

Colin Lubega

Gina Alfano

Izouna de Vasconcelos

Jade Manuel

Nico Louw

Spring Sutter

Abdul Bar Hussein

Jim Bruening

Moses Kibuuka Muwanga

Kelley Cribben

Ian Holden

George A. Lara

Byron Tofas

Drama

Queen of Katwe

Cine Mosaic

Mirabai Films

United States of America

English

chess

based on novel or book

sports

biography

based on true story

woman director

life in the slums

based on magazine, newspaper or article

Gimly

From a technical point of view, _Queen of Katwe_ is not a resounding success. There is bad audio, continuity errors, hammy dialogue, some very bizarre choices in cinematography and the occasional scene of poor acting.

The story however (while following a fairly predictable family-friendly line) is totally engrossing. Chess may not be the most engaging spectator sport, but the journey of lead-character Phiona is a thorough one, and an intriguing side-step away from the usual Disney setting.

David Oyelowo is particularly worth looking out for. He (unsurprisingly) gives a fantastic performance.

_Final rating:★★★ - I personally recommend you give it a go._

Reno

**A life changing game.**

I am not a big fan of Mira Nair. But I like some of her films, particularly 'Amelia'. Because she usually prefers India and Indian subjects and cast as what she's. Outside that circle, she was not that successful, until now. It was a sport film, that revolved around chess game. Inspired by an incredible true story from the dark continent. It all happened less than ten years ago. Disney and ESPN together produced it. So when these two productions come together, you would know what to expect.

Seeing the opening few minutes, it reminded me the recent New Zealand film 'The Dark Horse'. Kind of a similar film, but I was not that impressed with that. But this one was awesome. Simply a miracle. Like any fairy-tale from the Disney. She was not a princess, but in a way she turns to be one. Years ago when I reviewed 'Searching for Bobby Fischer', I said that was the film should be shown in the schools. Now add this title as well to the list.

The opening was the ending. Then followed the flashback, which went to the 4 years ago. Living in a slum of Katwe, a single mother raising her children, but not without their contribution to the family. Now the focus shifts to one of the family members, Phiona. Curiosity on her brother who disappears every day after sold out his goods leads her to a new path. That's when she discovers a game she had never heard of before. After learning the basics, she quickly picks up the rest of the game on her own and becomes a prodigy.

> ❝Losing teaches me how to play better.❞

This is like most of the true stories you have seen, but that's the truth as well in here. What might come later could impress you. Because it was not like she has a superpower, so she can clear her life path just like that. Honestly, the real test begins now for her, how she uses her gift. But it was her coach who understood the situation, and tried his best to push her further with the big tournaments, in the national and the international level. Not just her, there has been a team behind her. So the remaining is to reveal how far she would go, as well as the story of her struggling family.

They have got the cast perfectly. Everyone was brilliant. David Oyelowo was amazing, surely one of my favourite British actors for now. This is the second consecutive time he's making a such impression. Not long ago with 'A United Kingdom'. Definitely the Oscars is just a corner. And then Lupita Nyong'o, she was not the centre of the story, but had enough part and she excelled every bit of it. The rest of the actors, including the one who played Phiona was amazing. At the end credit, both the cinematic and the real life characters appeared. I felt that was a result of excitement, but liked it.

The sad part was why such films were ignored at the big stages! This is a must see film, especially if you have a kid(s) in the home, show it to them. Being the parents, uncle and aunt, that's one of the best thing you would do for them. Because no one knows when and where kids gets their confidence boost, inspiration or discovering a new path. You can't compare films with real life, even it was a biopic. But still the true story always remains a true story, even after they're compressed to 120 minutes. Particularly the Disney film gets rid of harsh parts, making a family friendly film. So watch it for a change, you have no other reasons, you could be impressed!

_8/10_

Excellent.

<em>'Queen of Katwe'</em> is another Disney sports biopic, but one made with a difference - it doesn't hit the exact same notes as the studio usually does in this genre, which is a positive. The film is shot lovely, with a terrific main cast.

Lupita Nyong'o is top notch in the role of Nakku, while Madina Nalwanga impresses in the lead as Phiona. David Oyelowo would be my personal standout, he's terrific as Robert, but all three add a great deal to the film to be fair. A few of the child actors give good support performances, also.

It does slightly suffer with the fact its story revolves around chess, which isn't the most exciting or massively interesting game/sport to watch across 124 minutes. However, it's about much more than just chess - it features a big life story too. It does a grand job at making you care for the individuals onscreen.

Highly recommend.

Queen of Katwe( 2016)

In chess, the small one can become the big one.

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A review by Gimly

Written by Gimly on Mon Dec 05 2016

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