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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. The film beautifully depicts Uganda with such honest attention to detailthe colors, the sounds, the peopleall vividly brought to life. ’Queen of Katwe’ moved me in every way, says Alicia Keys. 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. Back to Life was written by Alicia Keys, Carlo Montagnese and Billy Walsh and produced by Illangelo and Keys.
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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. Queen of Katwe is in theaters September 30 Queen of Katwe is the colorful true story of a young girl selling corn on the streets of rural Uganda whose world. 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. For 10-year-old Phiona Mutesi (Nalwanga) and her family, life in the impoverished slum of Katwe in Kampala, Uganda, is a constant struggle.