Director: Mira Nair
Starring: Lupita Nyong’o, David Oyelowo and Madina Nalwanga
‘A Meaningful Masterpiece’
Not many actresses in Hollywood that gained fame years ago are as celebrated as Lupita NYong’o. Since her rise to stardom during the 2000’s, Nyong’o has become a feminist icon. Whether it’s quiet survivors, slaves that face barriers or chess players, NYong’o has played many strong characters. Arguably, Nyongo’s finest strength as an actress has always been her genuine humanity. She is one of those rare actresses in Hollywood without vanity that has always come across as a genuine person. Her strong ability to transform into every character through commitment has turned NYong’o into a strong figure in entertainment. Shining bright light in darkness, NYong’o has become one of the most beloved actresses in the modern-day entertainment business. Through her ability to portray strong characters that are compelling, Nyong’o has created a strong legacy that has proven to be lasting. Throughout her enduring career, the actress has made several powerful movies which are definitely without any doubts worth seeing.
I’m a huge fan of Nyong’o and adore all films she has made in her career. However, “Queen of Katwe” is my favourite. Released in 2016, Mira Nair’s movie honoured the true story of a chess champion in African history. Packed with breathtaking production-design, spellbinding storytelling and powerful acting, it’s one of the best chess movies ever made. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Lupita Nyong’o, who portrays a mother that seeks to care for a child chess prodigy. Ultimately, what makes “Queen of Katwe” a timeless classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most chess films, it tackles strong themes which everyone would relate to. A mesmerizing chess masterpiece, there are many strong reasons why “Queen of Katwe” is a commemorated film that is worth seeing.
Set in Uganda, “Queen of Katwe” tells a story of a chess champion which faces a dilemma. Madina Nalwanga portrays Phiona Mutesi, an African chess champion with talent for a game she has always loved dearly. Growing up in the state of poverty, Phiona’s dreams of success in chess have often been threatened by her poor upbringing. However, Phiona’s life dramatically changes when she is given the opportunities to participate in a chess competition. Assisted by her powerful mother Nakku (Lupita Nyong’o), Phiona seeks to attain success in competitive competitions. As all the odds become stacked against her favour, Phiona questions whether it is possible for her to truly become a successful chess player. Facing a dilemma, Phiona soon questions whether she can be a strong chess player in Uganda.
Mira Nair is a newcomer towards the stories of chess champions. Before she made “Queen of Katwe”, Nair had never we made a film about chess champions before. It was the director’s first attempt to honour a true story of African chess champions that achieved victories but she succeeded tremendously. Using stunning cinematography, Nair demonstrates an African chess champion seeking to achieve victories in a state of poverty. Nair’s decisions to shoot the film in real-life locations across Africa is risky but works tremendously. Nair effectively uses African locations to honour a chess champion that overcame tensions. For instance, the real-life locations enhance the chess competitions scene. During this memorable scene, Phiona participated in her first ever chess competition causing tension. Through real-life locations in Africa, Nair honours a chess champion which achieved victories in Uganda. Real-life African locations are tricky to use in movies. As Cary Joji Fukunaga’s “Beasts of No Nation” claimed clearly, African locations enhance films about genocide. Nevertheless, it works tremendously. Through breathtaking visuals, Nair captures tensions African chess champions are often facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Queen of Katwe” that deserves appreciation is the production. Nair expertly uses costume design to capture chess champions facing a decline. Throughout the film, Phiona’s costumes play an essential role in capturing her roles as an African chess champion. For instance, costumes elevate the chess training scene. During this memorable scene, Phiona engages in a training session being prepared by her inspiring mentor Robert for a competition. Through stunning costumes, Nair crafts a portrait of chess companions that is compelling. Moreover, the music is key to the success of the film. Alex Heffes’ music takes the film to another level. It gives the film tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden that chess champions bear. Through breathtaking production-design, Nair conveys chess players that shine.
Storytelling is one of the reasons why “Queen of Katwe” is a chess movie that’s compelling. The film is beautifully written, and successfully uses silence to capture lives of chess players with experience. Nair’s screenwriting strength is her ability to create compelling heroines by silence. Throughout the movie, Nair effectively uses silence to capture the journeys of African champions. For instance, silence enhances the chess victories scene. During this exhilarating scene, Phiona is thrilled into silence when she wins a chess competition. Through sequences of silence, Nair creahwd a chess movie which audiences can easily relate to. Silence is often a tricky technique to use in movies. As Michael Sarnoski’s “A Quiet Place: Day One” suggested clearly, silence enhances horror movies about quiet survival. Nevertheless, it works extremely in this movie. Through a fantastic screenplay, Nair captures the lives of African champions beloved in Katwe.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Lupita Nyong’o delivers one of her greatest performances as Nakku. Nyong’o achieved appreciation for playing slaves that endure cruelties in history. With “Queen of Katwe”, however, she took on her most complicated role. It isn’t easy to portray a real-life mother of a chess champion, but she pulled it off effectively. This is the actress unlike you’ve ever seen her before: intense, charming and emotional in her most memorable role. With captivating expressions, she captures angst, desperation and grief of a woman seeking to assist her daughter in a chess competition. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the most commemorated actresses working in the industry today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Lupita Nyong’o, the supporting cast is also amazing and worthy of appreciations. David Oyelowo is dazzling, capturing the wisdom of a mentor that guides young women to follow the dream of becoming a chess champion causing sorrow. Madina Nalwanga is magnificent, and brings charisma to a chess champion seeking success in Uganda. Lastly, Martin Kabanza is worthy of appreciation. As a poor woman that loves chess, she brings heartfelt emotions to the movie.
Finally, “Queen of Katwe” will earn recognition of everyone capturing African chess players facing a price to pay. Unlike most films about chess champions, the film tackles bold themes that everyone would relate to. It discusses bold themes including identity, determination and family which would definitely resonate among everyone. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with African culture to appreciate it. Therefore, “Queen of Katwe” is one of those rare chess movies ebeyrone will adore.
Fans of Lupita Nyong’o will appreciate “Queen of Katwe” and so will movie-goers seeking heartfelt entertainment. A captivating classic about chess champions in Africa, it honours an actress with charisma.
Nearly a decade following the release of a groundbreaking film about chess players that face a dilemma searching for success in Uganada, it’s a riveting reminder about a commemorated actress with charisma that has manufactured unforgettable movies which have always attracted audiences towards the modern-day Cinema.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 