Queen of Katwe is the “true” story of the struggle of 10-year-old Phiona (Madina Nalwanga) to escape the slums of Uganda with her equally impoverished family. Phiona can’t read or write, but a kind teacher, Robert Katende (David Oyelowo) coaches soccer and teaches children to play chess in a missionary program. Phiona learns to play chess and becomes a changed child. Katende takes some of his best chess players to a tournament and–no surprise–they win! Of course, more problems occur. The terrible poverty threatens to derail everything Phiona has worked for. The cast is good, but Phiona’s mother, played by Lupita Nyong’o (who starred in 12 Years a Slave), steals every scene she’s in. If you’re looking for an uplifting Disney movie, I’d recommend Queen of Katwe. GRADE: B+
Yes, pretty good movie, as much about life in the Uganda slums as chess. Interestingly enough, the chess scene for women, and kids, continues to grow in the US and abroad. As a rated tournament player and former USCF tournament director, I’m happy to see this. I can highly recommend the French film “Joueuse”, or “Queen to Play,” starring Kevin Kline (excellent French speaker) and Sandrine Bonnaire, about a house keeper (Bonnaire) who becomes a world class chess player.
Roy, thanks for the heads up about QUEEN TO PLAY. I’ll track down a copy!
As a kid I played chess fairly regularly (if not all that well) and used to follow the chess column in the NY Times. But that was a long time ago.
Jeff, I was a member of the Chess Club in High School. But I lost interest in playing in College. Too many good players!
True, I moved on to hearts (Stephen King’s HEARTS IN ATLANTIS really hit home) and later bridge.
Jeff, Diane’s family loved playing Hearts. I never got into Bridge.
I liked it a lot too, George. So colorful despite the heartbreaking poverty. Why do we let poverty continue when we could bring it to an end?
Patti, we have too much poverty in the U.S. I’m constantly giving some of my students food and Starbucks Doubleshots because they don’t eat right. I have a Pizza Party coming up for one of my College classes. Even College students go hungry.
I just read a really nice story about a boy who asked his mother to make him two sandwiches to take to school for lunch. Turns out he noticed his friend only had a small fruit cup to eat and he was bringing him food. It’s heartbreaking how many kids are going hungry in this country.
Jeff, people are going hungry every day and we’re talking about email and private servers and building a wall. The world has gone crazy!
George, that’s one of the things I never understood (and still don’t understand …):
So many poor people in the “Land of the Rich”?
Of course I know that many in the USA consider our European way a kind of Socialism/Communism – but to help your neighbour in need is also mentioned in the Bible!
On the other hand I know how misguided attempts at help can produce ugly results – like our “development aid” in Africa etc.
One of my sisters is married to an Englishman who worked for a Global Player – the stories he tells, not only about Africa but also even European countries! As a financial accountant he was moved (like his colleagues) every two or three years to another country …
Wolf, there’s a strong streak of Social Darwinism in America. Some people think the poor deserve their poverty. It’s a sickness that never seems to go away.