Based on a true story, this film chronicles how talented Phiona Mutesi (Madina Nalwanga), a girl living in the poverty-stricken streets of Katwe--a township south of Uganda's capital of Kampala--became a world-class chess champion. Her journey begins when 9-year-old Phiona meets Robert Katende (David Oyelowo), who runs a sports outreach program for the church's youth ministry, teaching scrappy slum kids--who are struggling to survive--how to play chess (bribing them with a cup of porridge). Like Phiona, Katende has suffered deprivation and hardship. Due to class discrimination, even with an engineering degree Katende cannot get a proper, full-time job without family connections. In chess, Phiona is told, “the small one can become the big one.” Phiona's enthusiasm for the new game infuriates her hard-working widowed mother, Nakku Harriet (Lupita Nyong'o), whose income depends on Phiona and her brother (Martin Kabanza) selling maize in the marketplace. But when compassionate Katende realizes that illiterate Phiona is truly a prodigy, he finds ways to help her learn to read and overcome many obstacles thrown in her path. Based on Tim Crothers's 2012 book, and directed by Mira Nair, this uplifting true story is recommended. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include audio commentary with director Mira Nair, the music videos “Back to Life” by Alicia Keys and “#1 Spice” by Young Cardamom & Hab, and trailers. Exclusive to the Blu-ray release is a three-part “Their Story” behind-the-scenes featurette (30 min.), deleted scenes (20 min.), Nair's 2014 short “A Fork, a Spoon, & a Knight” (13 min.), a studio featurette with Keys (6 min.), and a bonus digital copy of the film. Bottom line: a solid extras package for this inspirational Disney live-action film.] (S. Granger)
This title is included in our list of films that teach about Africa