How can you not be struck by the story? That is what I live around so I said I’d love to meet Phiona first. He showed me this little article about Phiona in the ESPN journal about this child who sold corn in Katwe, who now was heading to becoming a chess prodigy and going to the Olympics in Russia. He came to see me in my garden in Kampala when he was at a family reunion about four years ago. I found out about her from Tendo Nagenda, a Ugandan that is also the Executive VP of Disney productions. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney Mira Nair Tendo Nagenda How did I not know about her? Photo by Alberto E. It was such irony that despite the stories in my surroundings for 12 years – and we have 680 alumni students now including several directors we have created from East Africa – and this story of Phiona Mutesi, who lived 15 minutes from home. We created the school because we have to make the dignity and the joy of everyday life in our street in Kampala. There are so few images of Africa on any screen anywhere, and when there are, it’s usually death, despair, dictators, and bestiality. The slogan of Maisha is if we don’t tell our stories, no one else will. I fell in love, had a son and planted gardens and created a film school called Maisha. I’ve been living in Kampala now 27 years, ever since I made “ Mississippi Masala” there in 1989. Can you tell us a little how you became involved? The story of Phiona is so inspirational it’s easy to understand why you would want to take on this project.
Director Mira Nair on the set of Queen of Katwe Director Mira Nair Starring Academy Award Winner Lupita Nyong’o, David Oyelowo and newcomers Madina Nalwanga (Phiona Mutesi) and Martin Kabanza (Phiona’s brother Brian Mugabi), Mira brings to life a story that you will want your whole family to see. She found a story of a young girl living in Kampala that inspired her to take on Disney’s latest feel-good film, Queen of Katwe. 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.When women take advantage of their power for the better in the world of Hollywood, I can’t help but fall in love. She quickly advances through the ranks in tournaments, but breaks away from her family to focus on her own life. As Phiona begins to succeed in local chess competitions, Katende teaches her to read and write in order to pursue schooling. 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. Phiona is impressed by the intelligence and wit the game requires and immediately shows potential. 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. When Phiona meets Robert Katende (Oyelowo), a soccer player turned missionary who teaches local children chess, she is captivated. 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. Here’s the official synopsis for Queen of Katwe:įor 10-year-old Phiona Mutesi (Nalwanga) and her family, life in the impoverished slum of Katwe in Kampala, Uganda, is a constant struggle.
Check out what she had to say in the interview above and below you’ll find the official synopsis.
Mira nair queen of katwe how to#
She talked about memorable moments from filming, when she first heard about the incredible true story, how to use chess dramatically in the story, the flood sequence, shooting on location, and more.
While at TIFF I was able to land an exclusive video interview with Mira Nair. For more on the film, watch the trailer and read Matt’s review. Lupita Nyong’o plays the girl’s protective mother and David Oyelowo plays her chess teacher. Scripted by William Wheeler, the film is based on the inspirational true story of Phiona Mutesi ( Madina Nalwanga), a young girl from the streets of rural Uganda who, after being introduced to the game of chess, pursues a dream of becoming an international chess champion. Now playing in limited release and expanding this weekend - after playing the Toronto International Film Festival - is director Mira Nair’s ( Monsoon Wedding) adaptation of the Tim Crothers‘ book of the same name, Queen of Katwe.