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Queen of Katwe

  • 2016
  • PG
  • 2h 4m
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
19K
YOUR RATING
David Oyelowo, Lupita Nyong'o, and Madina Nalwanga in Queen of Katwe (2016)
The true story of a young girl from the streets of rural Uganda whose world rapidly changes when she is introduced to the game of chess.
Play trailer2:25
46 Videos
98 Photos
Coming-of-AgeBiographyDramaSport

Living in the slum of Katwe in Kampala, Uganda, is a constant struggle for 10-year-old Phiona and her family. Her world changes one day when she meets Robert Katende, a missionary who teache... Read allLiving in the slum of Katwe in Kampala, Uganda, is a constant struggle for 10-year-old Phiona and her family. Her world changes one day when she meets Robert Katende, a missionary who teaches children how to play chess.Living in the slum of Katwe in Kampala, Uganda, is a constant struggle for 10-year-old Phiona and her family. Her world changes one day when she meets Robert Katende, a missionary who teaches children how to play chess.

  • Director
    • Mira Nair
  • Writers
    • William Wheeler
    • Tim Crothers
  • Stars
    • Madina Nalwanga
    • David Oyelowo
    • Lupita Nyong'o
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.4/10
    19K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Mira Nair
    • Writers
      • William Wheeler
      • Tim Crothers
    • Stars
      • Madina Nalwanga
      • David Oyelowo
      • Lupita Nyong'o
    • 90User reviews
    • 150Critic reviews
    • 73Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 4 wins & 30 nominations total

    Videos46

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:25
    Official Trailer
    Queen Of Katwe: Lucky Beginner
    Clip 1:02
    Queen Of Katwe: Lucky Beginner
    Queen Of Katwe: Lucky Beginner
    Clip 1:02
    Queen Of Katwe: Lucky Beginner
    Queen Of Katwe: Never Surrender
    Clip 0:58
    Queen Of Katwe: Never Surrender
    Queen Of Katwe: Dreams
    Clip 0:39
    Queen Of Katwe: Dreams
    Queen Of Katwe: Something Remarkable
    Clip 0:50
    Queen Of Katwe: Something Remarkable
    Queen Of Katwe: Opportunity
    Clip 1:00
    Queen Of Katwe: Opportunity

    Photos98

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    + 90
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    Top cast73

    Edit
    Madina Nalwanga
    Madina Nalwanga
    • Phiona Mutesi
    David Oyelowo
    David Oyelowo
    • Robert Katende
    Lupita Nyong'o
    Lupita Nyong'o
    • Nakku Harriet
    Martin Kabanza
    Martin Kabanza
    • Mugabi Brian
    Taryn Kyaze
    • Night
    • (as Taryn "Kay" Kyaze)
    Ivan Jacobo
    • Young Richard
    Nicolas Levesque
    • Older Richard
    Ronald Ssemaganda
    • Ivan
    Ethan Nazario Lubega
    • Benjamin
    Nikita Waligwa
    Nikita Waligwa
    • Gloria
    Edgar Kanyike
    • Joseph
    Esteri Tebandeke
    • Sara Katende
    • (as Esther Tebandeke)
    Hope Katende
    Hope Katende
    • Hope Katende
    Philip Luswata
    • Minister Aloysius Kyazze
    Peter Odeke
    • Enoch Barumba
    Maurice Kirya
    • Theo
    Minky Ndlovu
    • Man on Boda
    • (as Nhlahla "Minkey" Ndlovu)
    Jack Kinobe Sserunkuuma
    • Mr. Wilson
    • Director
      • Mira Nair
    • Writers
      • William Wheeler
      • Tim Crothers
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Director Mira Nair decided to adapt "Queen of Katwe" into a film after making a documentary about the life of the man who trained Phiona Mutesi, Robert Katende.
    • Goofs
      All the end games of chess shown, but one, are a checkmate, something which hardly ever happens once players have acquired some experience. The one exception is when Phiona resigns a game which is treated as a personal crisis, when in fact it's normal to resign from hopeless positions - especially when playing with the black pieces, for this brings the disadvantage of not making the first move.

      Never seen in the movie are any games ending with a draw, which in chess is extremely common.
    • Quotes

      Robert Katende: [Robert speaking to Phiona] Sometimes the place you are use to... is not the place where you belong

    • Crazy credits
      Just before the credits, there are short scenes of the major characters with the real people they portrayed. A brief synopsis of what the real people have done since the events of the film and are doing at the time of the film's completion is displayed as well.
    • Connections
      Featured in The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon: Kate Hudson/David Oyelowo/De La Soul feat. Estelle (2016)
    • Soundtracks
      Ndi Muna Uganda
      Written by Bobi Wine

      Performed by Bobi Wine feat. Nubian Lee

      Courtesy of Fire Base Records

    User reviews90

    Featured review
    10/10

    Queen of Katwe - Oscar worthy.

    Loved it well made and well acted. Teary in parts. It has been a while since a movie has had all the components of this movie. It captures how privileged we are in the west and out of pure will and following your passion you can come to be whom you really are against all odds.

    The actors portrayed the story with great depth and conviction. I loved the end and hope all true story's have the chance to show (Those that are still living) their real persons as I felt it adds a realness to the story and movie final. Well directed as well.

    There is a star in the making with actress Madina Nalwanga i am sure we will see allot more of her out standing performance.
    • shirleyanthonynow
    • Oct 1, 2016
    • Permalink

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    FAQ20

    • How long is Queen of Katwe?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 30, 2016 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official Site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Nữ Hoàng Cờ Vua
    • Filming locations
      • Kampala, Uganda(Slums of Katwe)
    • Production companies
      • ESPN Films
      • Walt Disney Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $15,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $8,874,389
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $304,933
      • Sep 25, 2016
    • Gross worldwide
      • $10,368,126
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 4 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Atmos
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

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