Queen of Katwe, an Infectious war over Poverty
About a month ago, I walked through Katwe. Two children were playing by a metallic door under the hot Kampala sun. One was barely dressed because his clothes were worn out and the other had a flood of mucus running down his nose. One of these dirty, unkempt and destitute children just might grow to becomeppresident someday.
Such is the story in Queen of Katwe. The dreams of a young girl from shanty slum ravages, barely a roof over her head and no education, but longing for a way out of there.
Phiona Mutesi (acted by Madina Nalwanga) makes it to the International African Children’s Chess Tournament in Sudan (2009) and is awakened to the possibilities of a better life through chess.
The film surrounds her with stringing support in her local Katwe community, unlike the facts. David Oyelowo who plays coach Robert Katende sees the genius in her, but the community encourages her even when she loses a big match.
Director, Mira Nair, did an incredible job showing Mutesi’s vulnerability against her ambition. A loss builds empathy for anyone who understands how bad poverty stinks when the feeling that you blew your one chance at getting out hits.
Katwe is cinematographically given in a different light. Excellent colour schemes show a bright slum which, despite the dirt and poverty-stricken homes, is full of life. The hope in this place, the communal support at local football matches or the buzz in the taxi park vis-à-vis the green scenery is magnificent.
I doubt the infectious celebration to a heroic welcome after a win is an exact replica, but it reflects how Ugandans celebrate. Live coverage of the Olympiad might also be a slight exaggeration because like I said media did not do Mutesi justice back then.
Mutesi’s story awakens realisation of what more Uganda could achieve if the creative industry, arts and sports were given priority.
This movie crops on you emotionally. You might get teary moments as Mutesi’s family is helplessly thrown into the night over defaulting on Shs10,000 UGX rent (barely $3), surviving on tomato soup, selling maize to make Shs1,000 daily, Katende’s resilience, his mother’s death, Mutesi’s sister- Night’s naivety, her brother’s near death experience; can be overwhelming. It is not overly dramatic, rather simply realistic without downplaying the misery and fortunes. Even without Lupita and Oyelowo, this story would still have been rich, though their very presence blossoms its international appeal.
Rosie Omodoi
I had little hope but I was surprised; It is good!! I hope it wins awards. I got emotional especially moments between Phiona and her sister, when the mum was talking to the coach, trying to explain her problems...
Emmy Omongin
It is authentic, brings out the story of a ghetto nobody trying to make it in the world.
Maurice Mugisha
Probably the end was not as exciting as I thought but it captures the story of Phiona. When you watch any movie you are looking out for that awesome last minute. I wanted something I had never heard about, which I didn’t get. But it is a beautiful movie.
