Year: 2016
Director: Mira Nair
Starring: Madina Nalwanga, David Oyelowo, Lupita Nyong'o, and Martin Kabanza
Tagline: One girl's triumphant path to becoming a chess champion
Synopsis: A girl from a Ugandan slum finds purpose and freedom through chess.
Tagline: One girl's triumphant path to becoming a chess champion
Synopsis: A girl from a Ugandan slum finds purpose and freedom through chess.
Review
Queen of Katwe is one of those films that, sadly, fell under the radar. It didn't get much publicity. Nor did it get a very wide release. Which is too bad, because it is a beautiful and inspiring film.
If I had to describe the film in one word, it would be "humbling."
When we first meet Phiona, she is illiterate, peddling maize in the streets, and living in the slums with her mother, sister, and two brothers. Soon she and her brother meet Robert Katenda, an educated man who works for a local mission teaching children chess. He teaches them to make a plan: in chess and in life. The grim realities of these children's lives is portrayed with honesty and dignity. There are no charity cases here. These are hungry minds (in hungry bodies) that latch onto a game that empowers them.
If I had to describe the film in a second word, it would be "empowering."
Chess, for the "Katwe Pioneers," does become empowering. And it is beautiful to watch. The kids are able to compete in a tournament and travel to a school. In the morning, Robert goes to their dorm room and sees all their cots unslept in. Instead, the children -- unaccustomed to such luxuries -- are sleeping together on the floor. They then proceed to beat a number of the city kids. And it's not just Phiona who wins. This is her story mainly. But it is also a journey for other kids as well.
If the film has a flaw, it is that it tries too hard to fit the "sports movie" mold. Honestly, I find chess boring and the chess scenes are the weakest parts of the film. There were also a few too many sports cliches thrown in. The film was best when it was a story about people, not games.
What really elevates the story are the actors. Lupita Nyong'o is fierce as Phiona's mother. She is the most interesting character: protective, proud, stubborn, but eager to give her children a better life. Her scenes with Robert are especially interesting as they both try to do what is best for Phiona. The children all do a terrific job as well and (I believe) are all newcomers to acting. They really ground the film in reality.
Which brings me to the best part of the film. The Queen of Katwe is based on a true story ... a story which occurred only a few years ago (the climax takes place in 2011). During the credits, each actor is shown and then is joined by their real life counterpart. Seeing those actual children (now teenagers) and reading about the changes that have come into their lives is sobering, humbling, and empowering. Because of chess (and people like Robert who believe in them), they have better lives, are gaining educations, and are finding their ways out of the slums.
I don't know how much longer Queen of Katwe will be in theaters. So if you want to see it, you may have to wait until it is available on video or Netflix. It is worth watching, not so much for the chess, but for the story of the very real humans -- children -- who play the game to better their lives.
If I had to describe the film in one word, it would be "humbling."
When we first meet Phiona, she is illiterate, peddling maize in the streets, and living in the slums with her mother, sister, and two brothers. Soon she and her brother meet Robert Katenda, an educated man who works for a local mission teaching children chess. He teaches them to make a plan: in chess and in life. The grim realities of these children's lives is portrayed with honesty and dignity. There are no charity cases here. These are hungry minds (in hungry bodies) that latch onto a game that empowers them.
If I had to describe the film in a second word, it would be "empowering."
Chess, for the "Katwe Pioneers," does become empowering. And it is beautiful to watch. The kids are able to compete in a tournament and travel to a school. In the morning, Robert goes to their dorm room and sees all their cots unslept in. Instead, the children -- unaccustomed to such luxuries -- are sleeping together on the floor. They then proceed to beat a number of the city kids. And it's not just Phiona who wins. This is her story mainly. But it is also a journey for other kids as well.
If the film has a flaw, it is that it tries too hard to fit the "sports movie" mold. Honestly, I find chess boring and the chess scenes are the weakest parts of the film. There were also a few too many sports cliches thrown in. The film was best when it was a story about people, not games.
What really elevates the story are the actors. Lupita Nyong'o is fierce as Phiona's mother. She is the most interesting character: protective, proud, stubborn, but eager to give her children a better life. Her scenes with Robert are especially interesting as they both try to do what is best for Phiona. The children all do a terrific job as well and (I believe) are all newcomers to acting. They really ground the film in reality.
Which brings me to the best part of the film. The Queen of Katwe is based on a true story ... a story which occurred only a few years ago (the climax takes place in 2011). During the credits, each actor is shown and then is joined by their real life counterpart. Seeing those actual children (now teenagers) and reading about the changes that have come into their lives is sobering, humbling, and empowering. Because of chess (and people like Robert who believe in them), they have better lives, are gaining educations, and are finding their ways out of the slums.
I don't know how much longer Queen of Katwe will be in theaters. So if you want to see it, you may have to wait until it is available on video or Netflix. It is worth watching, not so much for the chess, but for the story of the very real humans -- children -- who play the game to better their lives.
Quotable Quotes
- "In chess, the small one can become the big one." -- Gloria to Phiona (explaining how a pawn can become a queen in chess)
- "Sometimes the place you are used to is not the place you belong. You belong where you believe you belong." -- Robert to Phiona
- "What matters is when you reset the pieces ... and play again." Robert to Phiona
- "Check mate." -- Phiona (repeated)
ISFS
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