Disney has stepped into even deeper waters as far as moving beyond their tradition of the blonde-haired, blue-eyed damsel in a magical kingdom who ultimately lives happily ever after. Seven years ago Tiana became Disney’s first black princess in the animated film “Princess and the Frog.” This Friday, September 30, their feature film department gives us their first black “queen.”
Based on Tim Crothers’ book of the same name, “Queen of Katwe” is the true-life tale of Phiona Matele, an impoverished Ugandan girl who uses chess as a vehicle to transport herself and her family out of their dire circumstances.
The film follows her journey from the slums of Katwe, a township in Uganda’s capital city of Kampala, as she puts her tiny region on the international map in the chess world during her quest to become a grandmaster.
One of many children to a widowed mother, Phiona is unable to attend school. But her natural intelligence is cultivated by a mentor who uses the game to provide an outlet for the children in her neighborhood and to help them realize the potential that few others recognize.
Yes, in its own way the film perpetuates the Western world’s constant linkage of Africa with extreme poverty. But “Queen of Katwe” also showcases the resilience and resourcefulness of a people who manage to constantly see beyond even the most dire circumstances while trudging ahead to triumph.
And it was refreshing to see that the “great white hope” angle wasn’t employed to tell Phiona’s story on film.
Indian filmmaker Mira Nair gives this film the necessary care and attention to detail to create a universal connection between the audience and the characters. Chances are, most people who’ll see “Queen of Katwe” will have little to nothing in common with the faces they see on screen. Not only will they find redeeming qualities in each character’s narrative, they will also be inspired while watching each of them as they overcome their respective obstacles.
The cast of “Queen of Katwe” was absolutely stunning and superb – from the portrayal of Phiona to the ragtag group of charismatic young people who portray the Katwe chess team.
In her first feature film, Ugandan native Madina Nalwanga gracefully carries the weight of “Queen of Katwe” on her shoulders as Phiona. Her performance has the potential to be for Nalwanga what “12 Years a Slave” was to her on-screen mother Lupita Nyong’o in 2013.
Nalwanga is captivating in her debut performance – which is made more impressive because her life somewhat mirrors the character she portrays, in that her natural gift and hard work have opened up an entirely new world.
Nyong’o’s performance is the first one audiences can sink their teeth into, since she became an overnight sensation thanks to her role as Patsie in Steve McQueen’s Academy Award-winning film “12 Years a Slave,” which saw her take home a Best Supporting Actress Oscar. It is the first time audiences have seen her face on film since “12 Years a Slave” (she has done high-profile voice acting via “The Jungle Book” and “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”), and it was worth the wait to see her as Nakku Harriet. Nyong’o is effective in displaying Nakku’s strength, will and determination – all traits inherited by Phiona. She also shows the sorrow and sacrifice of a single mother who wants the best for her children, but without access to the resources to provide for them.
David Oyelowo rounds out the major cast as Robert Katende – who starts off as Phiona’s chess teacher, but ends up becoming she and her family’s saving grace. He is as good as always and further flexes his ability to carry his co-stars deep within and pour from the most vulnerable parts of themselves on screen.
There is an authentic tenderness between the cast that will tug at heartstrings from every angle.
The film is a product of Disney, so a formulaic, feel-good happy ending is essentially inevitable – but with this unique and undiluted African story, they take the road less traveled to get us there.
Queen of Katwe opens in theatres nationwide on Friday, September 30. The film is rated PG with a running time of 124 minutes.
