Disney Queen of Katwe Film Review

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The Queen of Katwe takes you on journey that is both spiritual, emotional and inspiring. You are transported into the lives of a Ugandan family and live their struggles, feel their pains and understand their heartaches. You also learn the value of dreams, goals and mentoring. This is a movie the entire family should see!

Sure there are rough parts of life shown where you gasp and pray that it turns out ok. There are parts where you just want to shake your head with Harriet Mutesi as she tries to be the best mom possible in a really rough place in the world.

We all have dreams and goals that seem so impossible, that feel like they are equivalent to dancing on the moon. This movie shows that some times those dreams are not that far off in the distance. That hard work, perseverance and not giving up can take you places you would never imagine.

Disney has done something truly special with this movie. They brought a real life story to the big screen in a way that tugs at your heart strings and makes you want to be a better person. Plus they manage to entertain you during the entire movie. I wasn’t ready for the movie to end. I wanted to see more of what happens in the future with Coach Katende and Phiona. What happens to the other children in the chess group, what happens to families that are portrayed.

This is a movie to bring some tissues with you too and also bring your family and the people who are most important to you. This movie truly will touch you in a way that not many movies do. I left watching the movie so motivated to push myself past my fears, to continue working on our dreams and most of all to hug the ones I love.

Oscar (TM) winner Lupita Nyong’o and newcomer Madina Nalwanga in Disney‘s QUEEN OF KATWE, the vibrant true story of a young girl from the streets of rural Uganda whose world rapidly changes when she is introduced to the game of chess. The powerful film, which also stars David Oyelowo and is directed by Mira Nair, will be released in U.S. theaters in September.

Check out the official movie trailer!

OFFICIAL BOILERPLATE: “Queen of Katwe” is the colorful true story of a young girl selling corn on the streets of rural Uganda whose world rapidly changes when she is introduced to the game of chess, and, as a result of the support she receives from her family and community, is instilled with the confidence and determination she needs to pursue her dream of becoming an international chess champion.

Directed by Mira Nair (“Monsoon Wedding”) from a screenplay by William Wheeler (“The Hoax”) based on the book by Tim Crothers, “Queen of Katwe” is produced by Lydia Dean Pilcher (“The Darjeeling Limited”) and John Carls (“Where the Wild Things Are”) with Will Weiske and Troy Buder serving as executive producers. The film stars Golden Globe® nominee David Oyelowo (“Selma”), Oscar® winner and Tony Award® nominee Lupita Nyong’o (“12 Years a Slave”) and newcomer Madina Nalwanga.

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.