David Oyelowo manages to convey a real sense of common decency and likability that his only goal is to help the children around him achieve their true potential. Right around the table, the performances are very, very strong. Her brother is injured in a shocking scene and their housing situation becomes increasingly dire, culminating in an equally shocking scene involving a flood. Her sister, Night (Taryn Kyaze), has left the family behind and gone off with an unscrupulous character, returning home every so often to upset the balance. Between these battles, Madina's character faces struggles in her family life. Before long, she and her fellow Katwe Pioneers - that's the youth team Oyelowo's character has made - are battling the upper crust of Ugandan society in chess tournaments. As Madina's abilities grow with the game, it becomes clear to all involved that she truly has a talent for it and quickly surpasses her coach. Her mother, Lupita Nyong'o is skeptical of the game at first and believes that the coach, David Oyelowo, has nefarious designs for her daughter. Set entirely in Uganda - and a brief stint in Russia - the story follows Phiona Mutesi, a young chess prodigy played by first-timer Madina Nalwanga, and her journey to become a champion at the sport.
Quite the opposite, it runs right into them and it's the film's truly unique setting and characters that allow them do so. With Queen of Katwe, the film embraces these cliches and doesn't even attempt to shy away them. A story of adversity, someone burdened with talent, trying to understand themselves through the prism of competitiveness, the long hours, the dedication - you can't really watch a sports film without drawing it to another one. Sports films are, by their very definition, riven with cliches. However, when Phiona is introduced to the game of chess by local teacher Robert (David Oyelowo), her world begins to expand rapidly and her intelligence and talent for the game takes her on an incredible journey.
Raised in the slums of Katwe, Uganda, Phiona Mutesi (Madina Nalwanga) and her mother, Nakku(Lupita Nyong'o) are doing their best to get by.