With extraordinary sensitivity, Indian-American Mira Nair (“Mississippi Masala,” “Monsoon Wedding”) depicts the harsh, almost unimaginable squalor in which the family lives, often without food, shelter, schooling or medical care, and directs Ugandan newcomer Madina Nalwanga with utmost delicacy. Phiona’s enthusiasm for the new game infuriates her hard-working, widowed mother, Nakku Harriet (Lupita Nyong’o), whose income depends on Phiona and her brother Brian (Martin Kabanza) selling maize in the marketplace.īut when compassionate Katende realizes that illiterate Phiona is truly a prodigy, he finds ways to help her not only to learn to read but also overcome the many obstacles thrown in her path.īased on Tim Crothers’s 2012 non-fiction book, William Wheeler’s melodramatic, triumph-of-the-underdog script follows a predictably biographical, sports story formula – with far too many platitudes. In chess, Phiona is told, “The small one can become the big one.” Because of class discrimination, even with an engineering degree, Katende cannot get a proper, full-time job without family connections. Like Phiona, he’s suffered deprivation and hardship.
#QUEEN OF KATWE PHIONA HOW TO#
Her journey begins when resilient nine year-old Phiona meets Robert Katende (David Oyelowo), who runs a sports outreach program of the local church’s youth ministry, teaching scrappy slum kids, struggling to survive, how to play chess – bribing them with a free cup of porridge. Take your next step today.Susan Granger’s review of “Queen of Katwe” (Disney/ESPN)īased on a true story, this film chronicles how talented Phiona Mutesi (Madina Nalwanga) from the poverty-stricken streets of Katwe, a township that’s south of Kampala, the capital of Uganda, became a world-class chess champion.
#QUEEN OF KATWE PHIONA FULL#
Click here to read the full Seattle Times Article Ready to Join the NU Community? We are thrilled for Phiona and Benjamin, and we can't wait to see where NU's new Chess Club will go.
#QUEEN OF KATWE PHIONA MOVIE#
"A young chess champion from the Uganda slums - whose against-the-odds story was featured in the book and movie “Queen of Katwe” - came to Kirkland to study at Northwest University," wrote Shapiro. "A friend arrived with her, giving the small school dreams of becoming a chess powerhouse." This development gained some attention from Nina Shapiro of The Seattle Times, who wrote an article on Phiona and Benjamin and the start of their new club. With the addition of two other world-class chess players, NU has a chance to compete nationally. Last month, Phiona and Benjamin launched the first ever Northwest University Chess Club, of which Phiona is the president. Though they've only been at NU a short time, they've already made a significant impact. These two phenomenal chess players have been preparing to become chess grand masters under the auspices of Chess4Life in Kirkland. Phiona Mutesi and her teammate Benjamin Mukumbya, both featured in the Disney movie, Queen of Katwe, began their university studies at Northwest University this fall.