Watch Queen of Katwe

Queen of Katwe is a heartwarming biographical sports drama film released in 2016, directed by Mira Nair, and produced by Walt Disney Pictures. It stars Madina Nalwanga as Phiona Mutesi, a young girl from the slums of Katwe, Uganda, who becomes a chess prodigy, and David Oyelowo and Lupita Nyong'o as her coach Robert Katende and mother Harriet Mutesi, respectively.

The story is based on the real-life experiences of Phiona Mutesi, who learned to play chess at a youth program run by Katende in Katwe. Despite the many obstacles of poverty and gender discrimination stacked against her, Phiona rises up to become one of the best chess players in Uganda and even represent her country at international competitions.

The movie opens with an introduction to Phiona Mutesi's life in the Katwe slum, where she and her family scrape by selling maize on the street. She is illiterate and has never had the privilege of going to school, but she possesses a natural intelligence and drive that catches the eye of Katende, a soccer player-turned-chess teacher who runs a local sports outreach program.

Katende teaches the kids not only chess but also life skills and values such as respect, focus, and determination. He realizes that Phiona has a special talent for the game and takes her under his wing, encouraging her to compete in local tournaments and hone her skills.

Meanwhile, Phiona's mother Harriet is skeptical of the whole chess thing, seeing it as a frivolous pursuit that takes away from her daughter's responsibilities of helping the family survive. Harriet is a single mother who lost her husband to AIDS and struggles to provide for her children on her own. She sees the world as a harsh, unforgiving place where only the tough survive, but she also loves her children fiercely and wants the best for them.

As Phiona begins to win tournaments and gain recognition for her chess skills, she is faced with new challenges and opportunities. She is invited to a national championship in the capital city of Kampala, where she faces off against privileged kids from private schools who have had access to books and formal training. She also meets other chess players from around the world who are impressed by her talent and offer her a chance to compete at international events.

Throughout the movie, we see Phiona grapple with her own self-doubt and insecurities, as well as the external pressures of poverty, gender, and class. She struggles to balance her passion for chess with her responsibilities to her family and her community, and she faces setbacks and disappointments along the way.

However, the movie ultimately celebrates Phiona's perseverance and resilience, as well as the support and mentorship she receives from people like Katende and her mother. It also sheds light on the importance of education, empowerment, and community building in the face of systemic injustice and inequality.

The acting in Queen of Katwe is superb, with Nalwanga delivering a remarkable performance as the titular character. Oyelowo and Nyong'o also deliver strong supporting roles, bringing depth and warmth to their characters. The cinematography is colorful and vibrant, showcasing the beauty and diversity of Uganda's landscapes and people.

Overall, Queen of Katwe is a powerful and uplifting movie that inspires viewers to pursue their dreams and overcome the odds. It is a testament to the human spirit and the transformative power of education, sports, and community.

Queen of Katwe is a 2016 drama. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.4 and a MetaScore of 73.