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Queen of Katwe

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Queen of Katwe
Theatrical release poster
Directed byMira Nair
Screenplay byWilliam Wheeler
Starring
CinematographySean Bobbitt
Edited byBarry Alexander Brown
Music byAlex Heffes
Distributed byWalt Disney Studios
Motion Pictures
Release dates
  • September 10, 2016 (2016-09-10) (TIFF)
  • September 23, 2016 (2016-09-23) (United States)
Running time
124 minutes[1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$15 million[2]
Box office$1.1 million[3]

Queen of Katwe is a 2016 American biographical sports drama film[4] directed by Mira Nair from a screenplay by William Wheeler.[5] Starring David Oyelowo, Lupita Nyong'o, and Madina Nalwanga; the film depicts the life of Phiona Mutesi, a Ugandan chess prodigy from Katwe who becomes a Woman Candidate Master after her performances at World Chess Olympiads.[6]

The film is produced by Walt Disney Pictures and ESPN Films, and was released in limited release in North America on September 23, 2016, and in general theatrical release on September 30.[7] The film was screened at the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival[8] and garnered critical praise for its black cast, setting, and subject matter; elements regarded as rare for a major American studio release.[9]

Cast

  • Madina Nalwanga as Phiona Mutesi[10]
  • David Oyelowo as Robert Katende[5]
  • Lupita Nyong'o as Nakku Harriet[5]
  • Martin Kabanza as Mugabi Brian
  • Taryn Kyaze as Night (as Taryn "Kay" Kyaze)[11]
  • Ivan Jacobo as Young Richard
  • Nicolas Levesque as Older Richard
  • Ronald Ssemaganda as Ivan
  • Ethan Nazario Lubega as Benjamin
  • Nikita Waligwa as Gloria
  • Edgar Kanyike as Joseph
  • Esther Tebandeke as Sara Katende

Maurice Kirya and Ntare Mwine have small roles as Theo[12] and Tendo respectively.

Production

Development and casting

In 2012, Tim Crothers published a book for ESPN titled, The Queen of Katwe: A Story of Life, Chess, and One Extraordinary Girl's Dream of Becoming a Grandmaster, which chronicled Phiona Mutesi's life. Walt Disney Pictures optioned the rights to the book that same year.[13] Tendo Nagenda, Walt Disney Studios' senior creative executive and of Ugandan descent, developed the project into production.[14] Nagenda went to visit Mira Nair at her Ugandan home to tell the story of Mutesi. Nair was captivated by the story, stating, "I have always been surrounded by these local stories but hadn’t done anything in Uganda since 1991. I love any story about people who make something from what appears to be nothing."[15] Nair met with Mutesi, her mother Harriet, and the chess group run by coach Robert Katende. Nair then invited screenwriter William Wheeler to come to Kampala to conduct interviews with the principal figures as a foundation for a screenplay.[16] Nair filmed a short high-concept and presented it to Disney, to alleviate the studio's concerns about the film's story being entirely set in Africa.[16] Wheeler believed that the film fit within the Disney tradition of films about "underdog" sports stories, noting, "Part of what the hope was in terms of what we were trying to do was to gently expand the idea of what a 'Disney film' could be. Disney was very open to wanting to tell an aspirational story about someone from someplace that is not at all familiar to Western audiences. We tried to walk a line between telling a pretty authentic story about Uganda and Katwe while still keeping in mind that this is a Disney movie and that this could really fit into one of the things that they do very well – which is telling sports underdog stories and finding the ways the story naturally intersects with that genre of film."[17]

David Oyelowo and Lupita Nyong'o were cast in January 2015 as Robert Katende and Harriet Mutesi, respectively. Nyong’o and Oyelwolo were Nair’s first choices for the roles. Nyong'o said her decision to play Harriet occurred after only reading the script's first ten pages, declaring "It was the first time I felt really awakened by a script and super challenged."[18][19] Oyelowo immediately accepted the role, viewing the film as a "subversive work" in regards to the lack of diversity in contemporary American cinema.[20][21] In casting Phiona Mutesi, Nair claimed that finding an actress to play the role was the most difficult process. The casting search for Phiona took place from July to December 2014, with the production team auditioning nearly 700 girls.[16] The film's casting director found then 15-year-old Ugandan dancer Madina Nalwanga in a community dance class and the newcomer was cast as Phiona.[5][10]

Filming

Principal photography began in April 2015.[22][23] The film was shot entirely in the slums of Katwe in Kampala, Uganda and Johannesburg, South Africa. The streets were filled with over one-hundred local Ugandans taking in smaller parts of the film, where eighty of them didn't have experience with cameras.[24] Nair worked with the children by setting up an acting boot camp to help prepare them for their roles.[25]

Nair and cinematographer Sean Bobbitt formulated different visual approaches for the various matches Mutesi plays. Katende, who was present for the duration of the shoot, designed the games; while Nair and Bobbitt worked on each individual shot. The chess scenes with multiple games were complicated because the call sheet had actual chess moves on it. Nair, along with editor Barry Alexander Brown cut the game scenes emotionally in order for it to appear dramatic.[24] Production wrapped in June 2015 after fifty-four days of shooting.[2]

Music

The musical score for Queen of Katwe was composed by Alex Heffes.[26] "It's a very thematic and gentle score that is more orchestral than something like Roots, although it's set in Africa," said Heffes. "There are plenty of authentic Ugandan needle drop tracks in the film to set the scene so the score could concentrate more on the music story telling."[27]

Alicia Keys wrote and recorded the song "Back to Life" for the film; it was released on September 1, 2016 by RCA Records.[28] A soundtrack album was released on September 23 by Walt Disney Records.[29]

Soundtrack

Untitled
Queen of Katwe (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) – Standard edition[30]
No.TitleArtist(s)Length
1."#1 Spice"HAB and Young Cardamom3:50
2."Sekem"MC Galaxy3:58
3."Budo!"Alex Heffes2:05
4."Tuli Kubigere"A Pass3:17
5."Bomboclat" (featuring Weasel)Jose Chameleone3:45
6."Brian, My Brother!"Alex Heffes1:00
7."Skelewu"Davido3:09
8."Juicy"Radio and Weasel3:46
9."It Is Fine"Alex Heffes1:03
10."Engoma Yange"Nsubuga Saava Karim4:26
11."Wuuyo"A Pass4:21
12."Oswadde Nnyo"Afrigo Band and Moses Matovu3:29
13."Mbilo Mbilo"Eddy Kenzo3:50
14."Escape from Hospital"Alex Heffes0:57
15."Nfunda N'omubi"Afrigo Band and Joanita Kawalya2:48
16."Kiwani"Bobi Wine4:49
17."The Promise of Harriet"Alex Heffes1:16
18."Kyempulila"A Pass2:26
19."Home Again"Michael Kiwanuka3:31
20."Back to Life"Alicia Keys4:54
Total length:62:55
Queen of Katwe (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) – Deluxe edition (bonus tracks)[31]
No.TitleArtist(s)Length
21."Am I Ready?"Alex Heffes2:16
22."We Have a Champion"Alex Heffes1:15
23."New World"Alex Heffes2:01
24."Phiona Wins Joseph"Alex Heffes2:46
25."At the Threshold"Alex Heffes1:28
26."Father Grimes - Commence Play!"Alex Heffes1:09
27."Such Aggressiveness in a Girl Is a Treasure"Alex Heffes1:20
28."You Make a Plan Mama"Alex Heffes2:43
29."Is This Heaven?"Alex Heffes1:43
30."Like Ghosts"Alex Heffes1:45
31."Olympiad"Alex Heffes4:00
32."The Water Takes Everything It Wants"Alex Heffes3:17
33."Robert Katende, I Am Your Mother"Alex Heffes1:47
34."School"Alex Heffes1:37
35."Entering Rwabushenyi"Alex Heffes1:24
36."You Belong Here"Alex Heffes4:17
37."We Are Home"Alex Heffes2:26
Total length:100:27

Release

Queen of Katwe had its world premiere at the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival on September 10.[32] Disney held the film's corporate premiere at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood on September 20.[9] The film screened at the Urban World Festival on September 22.[33] The film will make its European debut at the BFI London Film Festival on October 9.[34]

Box office

Queen of Katwe opened on September 23 as a limited release in the United States; with an estimated Friday total of $82,000 on a $1,577 per-screen average in 52 selected theaters.[35] By the opening weekend, it earned $304,933 for a $5,864 per-screen average.[36] The film opened wide release on September 30 to a total of 1300 screens.

Critical response

Queen of Katwe received positive reviews from film critics, with Lupita Nyong'o's performance receiving unanimous praise.[37][38] On the aggregate site Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 92%, based on 99 reviews, with an average rating of 7.2/10. The site's consensus reads, "Queen of Katwe is a feel-good movie of uncommon smarts and passion, and Lupita Nyong'o's outstanding performance helps elevate the film past its cliches."[39] On Metacritic, the film has a normalized rating of 73 out of 100, based on 36 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[40] CinemaScore reported that audiences gave the film an "A+" grade.[36]

Film critic Steve Pulaski gave the film three out of four stars and said, "Queen of Katwe's arrival into theaters nationwide comes not only in conjunction with a slew of other potential awards contenders, but as a breath of air refreshing as the kind the fall season itself brings. In a time where the common-good of humanity is seriously questionable and those who are supposed to guide and lead us appear as nothing more than manipulative and divisive, Queen of Katwe inspires as it captivates, telling us a story we may have never heard about but one we'll probably never forget."[41]

Accolades

Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) and nominee(s) Result Ref.
Toronto International Film Festival September 18, 2016 People's Choice Award Mira Nair 3rd Place [42]

References

  1. ^ "Queen of Katwe (PG)". British Board of Film Classification. September 12, 2016. Retrieved September 17, 2016.
  2. ^ a b Fleming, Jr., Mike (January 9, 2015). "David Oyelowo & Lupita Nyong'o In Talks To Star In 'Queen Of Katwe' For Disney". Deadline. Retrieved April 27, 2015.
  3. ^ "Queen of Katwe (2016)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved September 27, 2016.
  4. ^ Carissimo, Justin (May 10, 2016). "Lupita Nyong'o and David Oyelowo star in the new trailer for Queen of Katwe". The Independent. Retrieved August 29, 2016.
  5. ^ a b c d McNary, Dave (January 9, 2015). "David Oyelowo, Lupita Nyong'o in Talks for Disney's 'Queen of Katwe'". Variety. Retrieved April 27, 2015.
  6. ^ Robinson, Joanna (August 16, 2015). "Why Lupita Nyong'o, Not Superheroes, Represents the Future of Disney". Vanity Fair. Retrieved August 16, 2015.
  7. ^ Siegel, Tatiana (April 8, 2016). "Disney's David Oyelowo Drama, 'Queen of Katwe,' Gets Release Date". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 27, 2015.
  8. ^ "Toronto To Open With 'The Magnificent Seven'; 'La La Land', 'Deepwater Horizon' Among Galas & Presentations". Deadline. July 26, 2016. Retrieved July 26, 2016.
  9. ^ a b Czachor, Emily Mae (September 21, 2016). "Cast and Crew Celebrate 'Queen of Katwe' as "a Love Letter to Uganda" at Disney Film's Premiere". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
  10. ^ a b Gettell, Oliver (January 5, 2016). "Disney unveils first look at Lupita Nyong'o in The Queen of Katwe". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved January 7, 2016.
  11. ^ "Lupita Nyong'o and Taryn Kyaze". Instagram. September 5, 2016.
  12. ^ Gitau, Elly (May 11, 2015). "Uganda: Maurice Kirya to Star Alongside Lupita Nyong'o in Queen of Katwe". The Star. Retrieved August 16, 2015.
  13. ^ Josh Levs, CNN (December 10, 2012). "From slum life to Disney film: Ugandan teen chess star 'the ultimate underdog'". CNN. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  14. ^ Rainey, James. "Tendo Nagenda Named Executive VP of Production at Disney". Variety. Retrieved August 7, 2016.
  15. ^ Sperling, Nicole (September 2, 2016). "Queen of Katwe: Watch Phiona gets the best of her chess partner in first match". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved September 5, 2016.
  16. ^ a b c Sulcas, Roslyn (September 8, 2016). "'Queen of Katwe' Makes Moves on a Ugandan Chessboard". New York Times. Retrieved September 11, 2016.
  17. ^ McKittrick, Christopher (September 30, 2016). "Queen of Katwe: Expanding What a Disney Film Can Be". Creative Screenwriting. Retrieved September 30, 2016. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  18. ^ Sperling, Nicole (September 15, 2016). "Queen of Katwe: The return of Lupita Nyong'o". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved September 13, 2016.
  19. ^ Pallotta, Frank (September 12, 2016). "David Oyelowo and Lupita Nyong'o talk Oscars diversity and 'Queen of Katwe'". CNN. Retrieved September 13, 2016.
  20. ^ Whipp, Glenn (September 10, 2016). "With 'A United Kingdom' and 'Queen of Katwe,' David Oyelowo continues his mission of inclusion". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 13, 2016.
  21. ^ Schneller, Johanna (September 9, 2016). "Disney could be looking at Oscar buzz for 'transcendent' film Queen of Katwe". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved September 13, 2016.
  22. ^ Sefa-Boakye, Jennifer (March 31, 2015). "Lupita Nyong'o Is Filming Disney's 'Queen Of Katwe' Chess Biopic In Uganda With David Oyelowo". OkayAfrica. Retrieved August 16, 2015.
  23. ^ Gerard, Jermey (July 30, 2015). "Lupita Nyong'o Sets New York Stage Debut In Public Theater's 'Eclipsed'". Deadline. Retrieved August 16, 2015.
  24. ^ a b Bhatia, Uday. "From Kampala, with love -- Director Mira Nair on her new film, the challenge of shooting chess and making a film in what has been her home for the last 27 years". Live Mint. Retrieved September 16, 2016.
  25. ^ GANTT, DEIDRE (September 7, 2016). "Meet Tendo Nagenda: Disney Exec and Mastermind behind 'Queen of Katwe'". Face2FaceAfrica. Retrieved September 17, 2016.
  26. ^ "Alex Heffes to Score Mira Nair's 'Queen of Katwe'". Film Music Reporter. January 16, 2016. Retrieved January 29, 2016.
  27. ^ Schweiger, Daniel (May 24, 2016). "Interview with Alex Heffes". Film Music Magazine. Archived from the original on September 27, 2016. Retrieved September 27, 2016.
  28. ^ Lawrence, Derek (August 31, 2016). "Queen of Katwe story inspired Alicia Keys to write a new song". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved September 13, 2016.
  29. ^ "Queen of Katwe (2016)". Soundtrack.Net. Retrieved September 27, 2016.
  30. ^ "Queen of Katwe (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)". iTunes. September 23, 2016. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
  31. ^ "Queen of Katwe (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) [Deluxe Edition]". iTunes. September 23, 2016. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
  32. ^ Desta, Yohana (July 26, 2016). "TIFF 2016: Magnificent Seven, Loving, and More Announced for Festival Lineupl". Vanity Fair. Retrieved July 26, 2016.
  33. ^ Cox, Gordon. "'Queen of Katwe' Leads the Slate at 2016 Urbanworld Film Festival". Variety. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  34. ^ Barraclough, Leo (July 13, 2016). "Lupita Nyong'o's 'Queen of Katwe' to Make European Debut at London Film Festival". Variety. Retrieved July 13, 2016.
  35. ^ Kelley, Seth (September 24, 2016). "Box Office: 'Magnificent Seven' Rounds Up $12.7 Million on Friday". Variety. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
  36. ^ a b D'Alessandro, Anthony (September 25, 2016). "'Magnificent Seven's $35M Opening A Career Best For Antoine Fuqua; 'Storks' At $21.8M – Sunday AM B.O. Final Update". Deadline. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
  37. ^ Lawson, Richard (September 11, 2016). "Queen of Katwe Is a Bright and Inspiring Success -- Mira Nair has returned to form with this piquant Disney movie". Vanity Fair. Retrieved September 18, 2016.
  38. ^ Berkshire, Geoff (September 10, 2016). "Toronto Film Review: 'Queen of Katwe'". Variety. Retrieved September 18, 2016.
  39. ^ "Queen of Katwe (2016)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved September 23, 2016.
  40. ^ "Queen of Katwe reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved September 23, 2016.
  41. ^ Pulaski, Steve. "Queen of Katwe". The Steve Pulaski Message Board. ProBoards.
  42. ^ "TIFF People's Choice Award cements La La Land in Oscar race--The festival also released its full list of winners". Entertainment Weekly. September 18, 2015. Retrieved September 18, 2016.
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