Disney gives Lupita Nyong’o’s “Queen of Katwe” awards-season release dateApril 11, 2016 - 10:42 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Disney has given the Lupita Nyong’o chess drama “Queen of Katwe” an awards-season release date with a limited launch on Sept. 23, followed by a Sept. 30 expansion, Variety reports. “Queen of Katwe” is directed by Mira Nair (“Monsoon Wedding”) from a screenplay by William Wheeler (“The Hoax”) based on Tim Crothers’ book “The Queen of Katwe: A Story of Life, Chess and One Extraordinary Girl’s Dream of Becoming a Grandmaster.” David Oyelowo and newcomer Madina Nalwanga are also starring in the film. The story follows a young girl selling corn on the streets of rural Uganda whose world rapidly changes when she is introduced to the game of chess. She receives support from her family and community, and is instilled with the confidence and determination she needs to pursue her dream of becoming an international chess champion. Nyong’o is playing the mother of Ugandan chess prodigy Phiona Mutesi, who is portrayed by Nalwanga. Robert Katende, who helped train Mutesi, is portrayed by Oyelowo. Nyong’o won an Oscar for best supporting actress three years ago for her role in “12 Years a Slave.” Nair is providing an exclusive first look at footage from “Queen of Katwe” on April 24 at the San Francisco Film Festival. Photo: Disney Top stories Ara Aivazian said Azerbaijan continues the traditions of Turkey after seizing territories and forced Armenians out. The creative crew of the Public TV had chosen 13-year-old Malena as a participant of this year's contest. She called on others to also suspend their accounts over the companies’ failure to tackle hate speech. Penderecki was known for his film scores, including for William Friedkin’s “The Exorcist”, Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining”. Partner news | Pashinyan visits flood-hit region Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Saturday, June 8 visited the disaster area in the Lori province. €3.5 mln EU grant to support justice reforms in Armenia The European Union has paid €3.5 mln grant to Armenia within a €11mln program on Support to Justice Reforms. Yerevan reacts to Baku’s proposal to see Minsk Group abolition Alen Simonyan has declared that Armenia is taking steps aimed at concluding a peace treaty with Azerbaijan. U.S. Assistant Secretary of State to travel to Armenia Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs James C. O’Brien will travel to Yerevan on June 10-12. |