Exclusive: This 'Queen of Katwe' featurette will make you cheer

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Wednesday, August 17, 2016
A still from ''Queen of Katwe'' shows Robert (David Oyelowo) and Phiona (Madina Nalwanga).
Walt Disney Studios

This story originally appeared on Oh My Disney and is reprinted with permission.

Disney's Queen of Katwe, which will premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival before opening in limited release on September 23 and wide release on September 30, is the kind of feel good, inspirational true sports story that Disney does so well (it will definitely remind you of such greats as McFarland, USA and Cool Runnings). And what makes the movie so wonderful is exemplified by this exclusive featurette that we are so thrilled to debut.

In the film (based on Tim Crothers' best-selling nonfiction book), Madina Nalwanga plays Phiona Mutesi, a young girl living in Uganda who overcomes adversity and her impoverished surroundings to become a chess phenomenon on a worldwide scale. The movie is a heartwarming blast, full of fine performances by newcomers alongside stars like Lupita Nyong'o and David Oyelowo, who play Phiona's mother and chess coach, respectively. Mira Nair, who directed Monsoon Wedding and The Namesake, embraces the culture of Uganda and the uniqueness of chess, in a wonderfully colorful and heartfelt ode to the perseverance of the human spirit and the innate talents that reside in all of us.

This featurette, which showcases clips from the movie as well as quotes from Nyong'o and Oyelowo, will leave you similarly inspired. Queen of Katwe is a very special film, and one that feels right at home alongside Million Dollar Arm, Miracle, and the rest of the Disney sports classics. And for even more Queen of Katwe magic, head over to Walt Disney Studios' Facebook page for a Facebook Live Q&A with David Oyelowo.

Queen of Katwe opens in limited release on September 23 and wide release on September 30.

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