Be entertained and see what a woman can do.
Queen of Katwe
Grade: B
Director: Mira Nair (Salaam Bombay, Monsoon Wedding)
Screenplay: William Wheeler (based on the ESPN Magazine article and book by Tim Crothers)
Cast: Lupita Nyong’o (12 Years a Slave), David Oyelowo (Selma)
Rating: PG
Runtime: 124 min.
by John DeSando
“Women, by their nature, are not exceptional chess players: they are not great fighters.” Garry Kasparov
Queen of Katwe is a Disney film based on a true story. As such it is a pleasant, stirring story of a young Ugandan, Phiona Mutesi (Madina Nalwanga), who eventually becomes an African national junior chess champion. The story is almost a fairy tale of reward for hard work, a paradigm of heroic action that could serve as a template for Disney romances.
Although the story has been told many times about underprivileged young people overcoming poverty to become productive citizens, the unique spirit of this film pervades from its inception, enhanced by some of the most brilliant color ever in a modern film.
Multicolor clothing, characteristic of African nations in general, is magnified by director Mira Nair, whose Salaam Bombay, Monsoon Wedding, and Mississippi Masala exemplify her genius of discovering the joy to be found in cultures that have significant poverty. Besides, Nair has had a home in Uganda for almost three decades—she knows the place, and it shows.
In Queen of Katwe, while the uneven Kampala economy is apparent, the scene is still a happy, colorful home tempered by the challenges of keeping a roof overhead and food on the table. The best exemplar of that indomitable spirit is Phiona’s mother, Nakku (Lupito Nyong’o), who fights to give the best experiences for her children despite the poverty and yet holds Phiona back in a reluctance to have her corrupted by the outside world.
Within two years of learning chess under the guidance of civil engineer Robert Katende (David Oyelowo), she becomes Uganda’s junior chess champion. And, oh, yes, she learns to read—quite a young woman. Bring the family for a heartening experience, and make sure your daughters get it about their potential.
John DeSando, a Los Angeles Press Club first-place winner for National Entertainment Journalism, hosts WCBE’s It’s Movie Time and co-hosts Cinema Classics. Contact him at JDeSando@Columbus.rr.com
