Queen Of Katwe

Movie Review
Release on: Sep 30, 2016

Movie name	:	Queen Of Katwe
Genres	:	Biography, Drama, Sport
Run time	:	124 min
Produced by	:	John Carls Lydia Dean Pilcher
Directed by	:	Mira Nair
Music by	:	Alex Heffes
Writers	:	William Wheeler, Tim Crothers
Cinematography	:	Sean Bobbitt
Production	:	Walt Disney Pictures ESPN Films
Countries	:	South Africa, USA

Synopsis
Reviews (1)

Stars : Madina Nalwanga, David Oyelowo, Lupita Nyong'o, Martin Kabanza, Taryn Kyaze, Ivan Jacobo, Nicolas Levesque, Ronald Ssemaganda, Ethan Nazario Lubega, Nikita Waligwa, Edgar Kanyike, Esther Tebandeke, Hope Katende, Philip Luswata, Peter Odeke, Maurice Kirya, Minky Ndlovu, Jack Kinobe Sserunkuuma, Irene Kulabako Kakembo, Allen Musumba, Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine, Rori Motuba, Aaron Moloisi, Akin Omotoso, Maggie Benedict, Rehema Nanfuka, Tebandeke Samuel, Charles Mulekwa, Lele Ledwaba, Jonathan Diabaig, Flory Kegbia, Linda Radebe, Warren Ncube, Siyabonga Xaba, Joanitta Bewulira-Wandera, Elizabeth Kirabo, Carina Nel, Ivy Komukyeya, Charity Rose Pimer, Aida Mbowa, Jessica Mazzi, Isaac Muwawu Gwayambadde, Sheebah Karungi, Okuyo Joel Atiku Prynce, Richard Tuwangye, Zohran Kwame Mamdani, Lukenge Yusuf, Peter Musibira, Sarah Nansubuga, Teslim Animashaun, Lezon Mark Mugwanya, David Kisakye Kagwa, Anne-Marie Bewulira-Wandera, Sarah Kisauzi, Moses Awori, Babirye Stellah, Rayan Ssewanyana, Kakande Sharif, Stephen Mutabazi, Were Edrine, Mbadidde Florence, Mubiru David, Chris Bent Ssesanga, Mohammed 'Madikas' Ssekandi, Kiddu Isah, Nakato Lydia, Bavurhe Johnson Jaques, Gloria Nansubuga, Bombo Glory, Eric Akambangira, Russel Savadier

Story : A Ugandan girl sees her world rapidly change after being introduced to the game of chess.

timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Mira Nair’s heart-wrenching film is reminiscent of Gabriele Muccino's The Pursuit of Happyness (2006), minus the urgency of events. Interestingly, unlike a standard sports biopic, this drama goes beyond the highs and lows of the game and studies its characters on a deeper humane level, giving some valuable life lessons and insights into their lives in the process. While evoking apathy by depicting extreme hardships, it also manages to uplift your spirit. Through her unpretentious story-telling, Nair not only makes you feel for the underprivileged and their daily fight for survival but also respect their resilience.

While the languid pace and lack of theatrics makes the director’s character study a tad tedious, some heartrending moments get etched in your mind forever. For instance, you are told why the slum kids in Katwe took to a lesser-known chess over football, at a time when it was perceived as gambling and not a sport. “Momma said we can’t break our bones as we don’t have the money for doctor, so we can’t play football,” tells a kid to coach Robert Katende (David Oyelowo). How he uses chess as an equalizer to eliminate prejudice between the rich and poor and instil self-confidence and hope in the underprivileged children, moves you to tears. Oyelowo is outstanding and so are the child artistes, including the protagonist.

( 3.5 / 5 ) Read full review

Queen Of Katwe

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