She and her family had moved to different locations in Katwe six times in four years, once because they were robbed of everything and another time because their hut was crumbling. Most days consisted of searching for food and usually a meal of rice and tea. each morning to embark on a two-hour trek to fill a jug with water that was safe to drink. Like in the movie, Phiona had to wake up at 5 a.m. Drug use, prostitution, robbery and murder are prevalent, making Katwe one of the worst crime-ridden areas in the capital city of Kampala, Uganda. Garbage litters the slums and flies are everywhere. There is no sewage or sanitation, the stench is appalling.
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The Disney Queen of Katwe movie understandably tones down the realities of life in the slums, details that can be found in Tim Crothers' nonfiction book of the same name, on which the movie is based. Yes, it's actually much harsher than what's seen in the film. Is life in the slums of Katwe as harsh as what's shown in the movie? Silent Images DocumentaryĬoach Robert Katende and Phiona Mutesi (top) and actors David Oyelowo and Madina Nalwanga (bottom). The real Phiona Mutesi drew such parallels to her own life as well. One example is Phiona (Madina Nalwanga) liking the act of "Queening" because a pawn survives and makes it all the way across the board, becoming a Queen. The movie goes on to draw parallels to how the game reflects Phiona's life. "I started playing against girls and boys," says Phiona, "then I started beating the boys." The program had grown to 25 kids when Phiona joined. Class, income and education didn't matter. The lessons took place inside of Agape Sanctuary, a loosely put together church with a listing roof and crumbling walls. Realizing the kids he was working with weren't all going to play soccer (partially because the parents couldn't afford medical bills for injuries), Katende taught them chess, which he had mastered when he was younger.
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Missionary Robert Katende, portrayed by David Oyelowo in the movie, welcomed her and taught her how to play. Like in the movie, Phiona was introduced to chess at age 9 after secretly following her brother Brian to a meeting of the Sports Outreach Institute, a Christian mission where she observed him playing chess.
Two days later she was awake and began to recover. After begging for money from her sister, Harriet took Phiona to the hospital and doctors removed fluid from Phiona's spine after she lost consciousness.
Her mother Harriet believes that she had malaria. The Queen of Katwe true story confirms that Phiona nearly died when she was 8 years old.