Most biopic films I have watched always drain me emotionally (yeah, am an emotional guy). I leave the cinema either so sad and worried that I might not be appreciating the little I get to eat of matoooke and the famous rolex (not the watch) or that life is too deep and I have been just too shallow all along! Queen of Katwe left me inspired, happy, truly impressed and motivated.

‘You belong where you believe you belong’ David Oyelowo’s character in the film tries to encourage the young Phiona Mutesi (played by Madiina Nalwanga). As a film maker myself, these words and the film in it’s beauty reminded me that Uganda is so ready to tell more stories on the silver screen. I remember turning to my bro in the cinema and saying, ‘I want to see at least five decent films screening from Uganda in the next few years.’

Queen of Katwe tells a ‘never give up story‘ of chess champion Phiona Mutesi in a fun, true and heartfelt way. Phiona’s life is changed after growing interest in playing chess. Against deprived childhood, Phiona Mutesi strives on to become a grand master under the selfless guidance of her coach Robert Katende.

I didn’t have interest in chess (probably because I prefer video games) but while watching this vividly  relatable film, my interest in the game has grown miraculously. This is what Queen of Katwe does so effortlessly : the film makers sway away from the tired formula of the sad nonredeemable poor Africa story and embrace the purity of a place I proudly call home.  Even though Phiona is poor and  barely has a home, she and her family are happy. They  depend and support each other no matter what.

‘I am just a girl who sells maize on the street. I  can’t win.’ Phiona Mutesi ‘s character cries out to her coach after loosing a big game in Russia. He replies ‘reset the pieces and play again‘.

Mira Nair (the film director) stayed true to a beautiful story with a stellar cast and authentic locations that captured the spirit of Uganda.  With her seasoned experience, she was able to turn naive Ugandan kids into Hollywood stars.

Madiina Nalwanga, Martin Kabanza and Taryn Kay manage to convincingly act along side Oscar winner Lupita Nyongo and David Oyelewo. Veteran actors Phillip Luswata, Peter Odeke, Richard Tuwanje and so many other Ugandan actors and crew members got an opportunity to work on a major studio picture. Thank you Disney for taking a leap!

Checkmate. This film does win for me this year. As a Ugandan, filmmaker and a believer that dreams truly come true.

Currently, the film industry in Uganda is struggling but improving. In order to finance and make short or feature films, some passionate indie-film makers I know have risked their jobs, money and relationships (true story. People have been dumped).  This never give up story is on going and with major international studios like Disney getting interest, the future is bright people. The future is bright.

Ugandan audiences have always had a negative attitude towards home made movies preferring the Hollywood blockbusters and Nigerian dramas. This lack of belief and support in our own has let so many untold stories die in the night as discouraged film makers have been pushed into other businesses.

If more quality movies like Queen of Katwe are made, this am sure will encourage the makers and the guys with the money to bring our stories to the silver screen.

note: please go see the movie in cinema, if you want more of our stories told on an international level. (Yeah, movies that don’t make money, don’t encourage big studios into making more)