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Lupita wears the crown

Lupita Nyong'o at the South African premiere of Queen of Katwe Picture: Boikhutso Ntsoko
Lupita Nyong'o at the South African premiere of Queen of Katwe Picture: Boikhutso Ntsoko

Queen of Katwe is as much a celebration of life as it is an inspiring tale of hope and the triumph of the human spirit.

It's one of the most important cinematic pieces to come out of Africa in the recent past. It tells a slice of African life that is usually ignored. There is no disease, blood diamonds or a despot in sight, but the amazing rise and rise of an illiterate chess child prodigy who stuns the world with her skill at the game.

Her mother's steely determination to make the most of the little she has while protecting her children is admirable. The star of the film Lupita Nyong'o and director Mira Nair were in town last week to promote Queen of Katwe.

Lupita Nyong'o

What was the most exciting thing about shooting in Uganda?

It was just being in Uganda. I hadn't been on location for a film since 12 Years A Slave. I did Star Wars and Jungle Book and those are studio films. To have an uplifting story set in the slums of Katwe and to be there was priceless.

How did you manage to pull off the role of a mother with such depth when you're not a mother yourself?

I got there about three weeks before we started shooting and spent some time with her.

I found she was dignified no matter how much money she had in her pocket. She sacrificed a lot for her children who came first in her life. But she would not sacrifice her principles, which is something I wanted to honour and portray.

Playing this role gave me profound respect for mothers.

It was definitely a rehearsal for motherhood and all I can say is that she was my inspiration and obviously my own mother is a powerhouse in my life and I no doubt take things from her.

Are you finding it easier to find roles you're interested in?

I've made a commitment to design for my life a career that is diverse and varied and so the choices I have made reflect that. I sign on things that I feel are offering me something new and a viable challenge.

What's your take on African cinema and how will Queen of Katwe impact on it?

Mira has proved there is talent. What separates us from anyone else is just opportunity and Mira and Disney brought that to a Ugandan story. I don't think any film can change the course of an entire entertainment industry. It's a multiplication of those opportunities.

How do you stay authentic as an African?

I have to be deliberate with people I work with. The films I make, things I wear, make-up and everything.

I have to hold people who know and understand me very close.

It took a village to get me where I am.

I'm not a one-man show.

Do you play any chess?

I've always known how to move the pieces but I don't how I learnt it.

I'm absolutely not good at it and I can't think more than one move ahead.

Queen of Katwe opened at cinemas yesterday.

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