Plot
An Ugandan girl sees her world rapidly change after being introduced to the game of chess.

Release Year: 2016

Rating: 6.4/10 (111 voted)

Critic's Score: /100

Director: Mira Nair

Stars: Madina Nalwanga, David Oyelowo, Lupita Nyong'o

Storyline
An Ugandan girl sees her world rapidly change after being introduced to the game of chess.

Writers: William Wheeler, Tim Crothers

Cast:
Madina Nalwanga - Phiona Mutesi
David Oyelowo - Robert Katende
Lupita Nyong'o - Nakku Harriet
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 - Gloria
Edgar Kanyike - Joseph
Esther Tebandeke - Sara Katende
Hope Katende - Hope Katende
Philip Luswata - Minister Aloysius Kyazze
Peter Odeke - Enoch Barumba

Taglines: One girl's triumphant path to becoming a chess champion.

Country: South Africa, USA

Language: English

Release Date: 30 September 2016

Filming Locations: Kampala, Uganda

Box Office Details

Budget: $15,000,000 (estimated)

Runtime: 124 min

Trivia:
Ugandan fashion mogul, Sylvia Owori, bought her way into the film as an extra at an auction that acted as a fundraiser for Maisha Film Labs. Other prizes included a "12 Years a Slave" DVD signed by Lupita Nyong'o. See more »

Author:

Rating: 6/10

I like Mira Nair's storytelling style and I like her film also. She is a talented director and she has made some very good movies. Those movies are critically acclaimed and good rated. I know she always concentrates about the critic value of her movies, not the box office report. That's why maybe her films are not famous in mass people. I know she is a good director and already has made some very good movies but the main problem is those movies are not for general audiences.

Well, this movie is a biography and the movie is based on some true stories. Here is a good point, the movie is totally harmless and the movie's emotional scenes are very well executed. The script and the screenplay are very good and well written. William Wheeler has written a very good screenplay for this movie and when the cinematic knowledge is the concern, he is undoubtedly good. Here is another thing, I am not telling Mira Nair's direction was not good, but the screenplay is the heart of this movie and maybe, for this reason, the direction of Mira Nair was good. The emotional scenes, the background story and the plot development are very good and I want to give a thumbs up for this.

The another plus point is the casting. All of the lead cast are non- caucasian and that is another good thing for this kind of movie. Lupita Nyong'o, David Oyelowo, Madina Nalwanga all these actors has done a very good job and I think they are perfect for these roles. Maybe Lupita Nyong'o will be nominated for her role. Rest of the cast of this movie has also done a good job. I want to give all the credit to Mira Nair because she is the true compiler of this movie.

Another thing is this movie is a little bit formulaic but I want to tell this formula does work and the emotional touches of this movie are not irrelevant. So if you want to achieve some good delightful experience, this movie is for you.

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