Lupita Nyong'o and David Oyelowo’s Emotional Reactions to Seeing ‘Queen of Katwe’

Queen of Katwe hits theaters in wide release this weekend, and Yahoo Movies sat down with stars David Oyelowo and Lupita Nyong’o to talk about their reactions to the emotional film that tells the tale of a Ugandan girl who sees her world rapidly change after being introduced to the game of chess.

“I remember the first time I saw it, and I have to admit to quite a bit of ugly crying,” Oyelowo said. “The combination of the story itself. Just the fact that this film exists, and you know people whose story just wouldn’t otherwise be known, gets told, and the beauty of who they are is seen by the world.”

Nyong’o has also been deeply affected by the film.

“I get emotional when I watch it. I get emotional when I talk about it. I’m holding back tears right now,” Nyong’o said. “I mean it was so much fun, and then you know after the film we were just like bursting.”

The triumphant true story was also emotional for the people who really lived it – Phiona Mutesi and Robert Katende.

“I was so excited for it, and then when I sat and watched it, I was so emotional. I had to cry,” Mutesi, who is portrayed by Nyong’o in the film, said.

Katende, who is played by Oyelowo in Queen of Katwe, added, “There are some scenes which are very, very heavy, especially on me. I just feel like I can’t really hold it, and I just end up crying.”

Watch Lupita Nyong’o and David Oyelowo talk about the importance of having a true African perspective in this film:

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