Lupita Nyong’o recently shared a teaser for her upcoming film Queen of Katwe.
Directed by Mira Nair (Mississippi Masala, Monsoon Wedding), the Queen of Katwe tells the story of Ugandan chess prodigy Phiona Mutesi, and is based on the book The Queen of Katwe: A Story of Life, Chess, and One Extraordinary Girl’s Dream of Becoming a Grandmaster. Mutesi was also the subject of a documentary with the same name. Nyong’o will be playing Harriet Mutesi, Phiona’s mother. The film also stars newcomer Madina Nalwanga and David Oyelowo
It's my absolute joy to share the first look of @QueenOfKatwe!! This movie proves that daring to dream is worth it https://t.co/sJgYRI6lts
— Lupita Nyong'o (@Lupita_Nyongo) May 8, 2016
For 10-year-old Phiona Mutesi (Nalwanga) and her family, life in the impoverished slum of Katwe in Kampala, Uganda, is a constant struggle. Her mother, Harriet (Nyong’o), is fiercely determined to take care of her family and works tirelessly selling vegetables in the market to make sure her children are fed and have a roof over their heads. When Phiona meets Robert Katende (Oyelowo), a soccer player turned missionary who teaches local children chess, she is captivated. Chess requires a good deal of concentration, strategic thinking and risk taking, all skills which are applicable in everyday life, and Katende hopes to empower youth with the game.
Phiona is impressed by the intelligence and wit the game requires and immediately shows potential. Recognizing Phiona’s natural aptitude for chess and the fighting spirit she’s inherited from her mother, Katende begins to mentor her, but Harriet is reluctant to provide any encouragement, not wanting to see her daughter disappointed. As Phiona begins to succeed in local chess competitions, Katende teaches her to read and write in order to pursue schooling. She quickly advances through the ranks in tournaments, but breaks away from her family to focus on her own life. Her mother eventually realizes that Phiona has a chance to excel and teams up with Katende to help her fulfill her extraordinary potential, escape a life of poverty and save her family.
Disney also released a beautiful poster for the film, in anticipation of the full trailer, which will premiere tomorrow.
Queen of Katwe is set to hit theaters on September 30 of this year, with a limited release.
[…] voiced the character Raksha, a wolf, in The Jungle Book. She also stars in the Disney production Queen of Katwe, which hits theaters in September and is set to star in the upcoming sci-fi production Intelligent […]
[…] is currently promoting her upcoming project Queen of Katwe, which premiered at the festival, over the weekend, to rave reviews. Directed by Mira Nair, Queen […]
[…] talked about her role in the upcoming film Queen of Katwe and shared a cute story about the first time she met Beyoncé at the Met Ball. Apparently The Queen […]
[…] part of a series of promo videos for her film Queen of Katwe, Lupita Nyong’o sat with Zendaya for a brief interview, in which the two talents talked about […]