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'Queen of Katwe' star David Oyelowo calls the film a 'life-affirming African story'

'Katwe' stars Madina Nalwanga as Phiona Mutesi, a Ugandan girl who overcame obstacles to become a chess champion. It co-stars Lupita Nyong'o and David Oyelowo.

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Edward Echwalu/Disney/P
'Queen of Katwe' stars Madina Nalwanga (r.) and David Oyelowo (l.).
  • By Piya Sinha-Roy Reuters

Chess may not be the most visual of sports to watch in a film, but the true story of an impoverished Ugandan girl overcoming obstacles to become a chess champion transcends the game, according to the cast of "Queen of Katwe."

The Walt Disney Co film, which is now in theaters, is a "life-affirming African story," star David Oyelowo told Reuters.

"As someone of African descent, we don't see enough of that, I believe, in cinema, in the press as well, so I'm very proud to see a story like this made by Disney as well," Oyelowo added.

"Queen of Katwe" follows the story of Phiona Mutesi, a young girl with no education being raised by her single mother and siblings in Katwe, an impoverished district of the capital, Kampala.

"I'm just a person from nowhere and now I'm coming to [the Toronto Film Festival]. I can't believe it. It's just exciting," Mutesi said as she attended the premiere of the film in Toronto.

In the movie, Phiona is introduced to chess through charity worker Robert Katende, played by Oyelowo, who encourages Katwe uneducated children to play the strategy game, likening it to their inherent survival instincts learned in the slums.

As Phiona starts to beat all her challengers, Katende takes her and the Katwe children to compete in tournaments with players from wealthier backgrounds and education. The young girl often doubts her abilities, but her coach keeps guiding her to believe in herself.

Oscar winner Lupita Nyong'o, who plays Phiona's fiercely protective and indefatigable mother, Harriet, said that while she was not yet a mother, she learned about the selflessness of motherhood.

"It's almost like your heart is dislocated and running around and just feeling the fear, inhabiting the fear of a mother letting her chicks out every day to survive," she said.

Director Mira Nair said she had lived in Kampala for 27 years and brought her own experience of the city and culture to the film.

Nair said she wanted to portray "the country from within, feeling the dignity and the complete joy even during the best of struggles."

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