Internationally acclaimed filmmaker, Mira Nair’s forthcoming drama, Disney’s Queen of Katwe is all set to release in India on 7th October, 2016. The movie will premiere at the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival in September, 2016.
Like Nair’s previous films, Queen of Katwe is a heartwarming and riveting drama. Based on real-life events, the film chronicles the inspiring story of an underdog from the streets of rural Uganda. She’s a young girl whose world rapidly changes when she is introduced to the game of chess; as a result of the support from her family and community she develops confidence and determination to pursue her dream to become an international chess champion.
The film stars Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o, Golden Globe nominee David Oyelowo and newcomer Madina Nalwanga…and has a splendid musical team coming together for the soundtrack!
It was already announced that the makers are partnering with 15-time GRAMMY Award-winning recording artist Alicia Keys (“Girl on Fire,” “No One”) The multi-talented singer/songwriter/producer’s new original song, “Back to Life,” appears in the film.
Well we have stumbled upon the fact that the film features a cutting-edge Afrobeat soundtrack curated by the Ugandan rapper Young Cardamom (aka Zohran Kwame Mamdani), the co-music supervisor, who took inspiration on from the Katwe streets to immerse the audience in the modern sound of today’s Kampala. And Zohran Mamdani is none other than Mira Nair’s son with her professor husband, Mahmood Mamdani (a Ugandan who teaches mainly in Kampala)!!
He is the music supervisor on Queen Of Katwe along with Linda Cohen.
“Queen of Katwe,” which will have its world premiere at the Toronto Film Festival on September 10, is directed by Nair from a screenplay by William Wheeler and stars Golden Globe® nominee David Oyelowo, Oscar winner and Tony nominee Lupita Nyong’o and newcomer Madina Nalwanga. The film is based on the vibrant true story of Phiona Mutesi, a young girl from the streets of rural Uganda who is introduced to the game of chess by Robert Katende, a former missionary and soccer coach, and goes on to become an international chess champion.
