If you want to see more diversity in Hollywood, make ‘QUEEN OF KATWE’ a blockbuster

Courtney Howard // Film Critic

Now, more than ever, it’s important that movies reflect our modern times by representing good stories about people from all walks of life. In a world post-#OscarSoWhite , we, as the moviegoing public, must demand for the studios to support films with racially diverse casts. Most importantly – we need to buy tickets to these films, making them certifiable blockbusters. This is how Hollywood will listen: by the voting power of our money.

That’s where I’m imploring y’all to make the right choice by supporting QUEEN OF KATWE. Not only is this a female-driven film about a young girl (Madina Nalwanga) in Uganda learning to play chess (I have a soft spot for this sub-genre), but it’s also directed by an extremely talented female director, Mira Nair, who knows how to bring out dramatic nuance in organic ways. Plus, this is a true story that’s got the words, “inspirational” written all over it. Who doesn’t love that?! The trailer hit me directly in the feels – as I’m sure it will for you. Take a look.

Listen, I stand to gain nothing monetarily from this film’s success. However, as a film critic and journalist, the prospect of seeing a much more ethnically diverse movie marketplace excites the heck out of me. Making this a hit also serves to address two huge problems currently plaguing Hollywood: their diversity and lack of female directors problems.

QUEEN OF KATWE opens on September 23.

Photo header: (L-R) Madina Nalwanga and Lupita Nyong’o in QUEEN OF KATWE courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures.