It’s earning rave reviews and charming audiences everywhere.
Nobody does inspirational and uplifting films quite like Disney but their latest feature, Queen of Katwe, is unlike anything that you’ve seen before.
The film revolves around 9-year-old Phiona who spends her days selling vegetables on the streets of Katwe, one of the most poverty-stricken slums in Kampala, Uganda. School isn’t an option for Phiona, although her mother, Harriet (Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o), does her very best to love, support and protect her family.
This being said, Harriet is totally consumed by the daily grind and worries that she can’t provide her children with a better life.
Every single person in this world has the potential for greatness, all it needs is someone to notice and nurture their talent.
In Phiona’s case, her guiding voice is Robert Katende (David Oyelowo), a kindhearted Director of Sports Outreach in Uganda who runs a chess program for the children of Katwe. By using chess as a tool to mentor and disciple young students, he allows them to think and create for themselves. What unfolds is truly remarkable.
JOE’s Paul Moore caught up with the film’s leading man, David Oyelowo, to hear just how amazed he was by this remarkable tale, but that’s not all.
What makes Queen of Katwe so unique is the insight and experience that director Mira Nair has of life in Uganda, she has spent 27 years living there, combined with her unique talent for coaxing remarkable performances from first time actors.
Take a look.
Here’s what the very talented David Oyelowo had to say about a truly wonderful film.
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