Queen of Katwe stars David Oyelowo, Lupita Nyong’o, and newcomer Madina Nalwanga in an uplifting tale based on a true story. A young girl who sells corn on the streets of rural Uganda is introduced to the game of chess and her world changes drastically.
With help from her family and community, the young girl goes on to become an international chess champion.
Here’s a bit of the plot summary, all of which you can gather from the trailer.
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. 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. 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.
Queen of Katwe is directed by Mira Nair from a screenplay by William Wheeler and based on the book by Tim Crothers. Disney’s Queen of Katwe opens in U.S. theaters on September 23, 2016.