ScreenFish

where faith and film are intertwined

Lupita Nyong'o

5.12 Let’s Talk about US

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This week on the show, we dive into the shadow realm to talk about US, Jordan Peele’s latest mind-bending sci-fi horror. Starring Lupita Nyong’o and Winston Duke, US follows the Wilson family as their beachfront vacation is disrupted by a home invasion. Even more terrifying? Their attackers look exactly like themselves. But does the film give us good vibrations? Or is this one vacation we’d like forget? Tethered together for this episode is ScreenFish film analyst, Chris Utley and Catherine Erskine to talk about the film’s exploration of modern culture, what justice looks like within the film and whether or not we can really run from our shadows.

You can also stream the episode above on podomatic, SoundCloud or on Spotify! Or, you can download the ep on Apple Podcasts, Google Play or more!

Want to continue to conversation at home?  Click the link below to download ‘Fishing for More’ — some small group questions for you to bring to those in your area.

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Thanks Chris and Catherine for joining us!

Black Panther Giveaway!

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As the world prepares for the unleashing of Marvel Studios’ Black Panther, ScreenFish wants to help you to get ready!

After the death of his father, T’Challa returns home to the African nation of Wakanda to take his rightful place as king. When a powerful enemy suddenly reappears, T’Challa’s mettle as king — and as Black Panther — gets tested when he’s drawn into a conflict that puts the fate of Wakanda and the entire world at risk. Faced with treachery and danger, the young king must rally his allies and release the full power of Black Panther to defeat his foes and secure the safety of his people.

                       

The winner will receive a copy of the Black Panther soundtrack, a T’Challa pop figure, and a Black Panther poster.

To enter, simply like or share our post on Facebook and answer the following question in the comment section: Name another film in which director Ryan Coogler has worked with actor Michael B. Jordan.

For a bonus entry, like or share the post on Twitter.

All entries must be completed by 11:59pm on Thursday, February 15th, 2018.

 

Black Panther will be unleashed in theatres on February 16th, 2018

Queen of Katwe – Inspiring, but . . .

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“In chess, the small one can become the big one.”

Disney knows how to do inspirational stories. The latest is Queen of Katwe about a Ugandan chess prodigy who finds a way out of the slums of Kampala through the dedication of a man who reached out to impoverished children by teaching them the game.

Nine year old Phiona (Madina Nalwanga) spends her days selling vegetable in the streets of Kampala to help her mother (Lupita Nyong’o) provide for the family. School isn’t an option. Her future seems bleak indeed. One day she follows her brother to a church that hosts a youth sports outreach ministry. Part of that outreach is led by Robert Katende (David Oyelowo), an unemployed engineer, who himself achieved an education in spite of his coming from the slums. Robert strives to teach not just chess to the children, but also tries to give them a hope and vision of a better life. As Phiona advances in the world of chess, she also must deal with various struggles in her family life—often leading to times of despair.

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Chess often serves as a metaphor of conquering life’s challenges. The film is rich in aphorisms such as “Sometimes the place you are used to is not the place you belong,” “You use your mind, make a plan, and you will find safe squares,” and “Do not be too quick to tip your king,” all of which speak more to Phiona’s personal struggles more than her chess playing.

It is worth noting that the church and faith has a role in the story. Robert is working with the church as he awaits a possible job that his education has prepared him for. Although it is a church ministry, we don’t see any religious teaching going on along with the chess. Yet, the implication is that there is more here than just the game. At the same time, after losing their home, Phiona’s family squats in the ruins of a burned out church. That less than perfect shelter is another interesting metaphor for the way God may seem to the young struggling girl. She wonders at one point if God really cares about her and her family. She certainly sees no clear evidence based on the events that befall them. So the church is both a physical shelter (although not a very good one) and the place that offers hope for finding more than her life has provided her. That ambivalence, I think, is a common experience of church—something that nourishes us, but we often fail to see its importance in day to day life.

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While Phiona’s story is indeed inspiring as we watch her become more confident in her game and in life, it may also seem a bit trite. Certainly she finds her path out of the poverty that has defined her life to this point, but it is such an individual journey that it becomes something of a Horatio Alger story. While she has help along the way, in the end we celebrate what Phiona has achieved by her dedication and work. She has found a way out of the slums, but what of all the others in the slums. A few other children also play chess and begin an education, but the social structures that allow such poverty continue untouched. That is often the flaw in stories such as this. One person’s success is worth celebration, but not by ignoring the roots of the problem that they have overcome.

Photos courtesy of Walt Disney Studios

tiff16 1on1: The Cast of QUEEN OF KATWE

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“You belong here.” – Robert Katende (David Oyelowo)

Queen of Katwe tells the story of Phiona Mutesi (Madina Nalwanga), a young teenager who lives in the poorest areas of Katwe, Uganda. She connects with missionary Robert Katende (Oscar nominee David Oyelowo), who introduces her to the game of chess. As Phiona quickly demonstrates an incredible grasp of the game, she also faces adversity from her mother, Harriet (Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o), who feels the game is a distraction from her work as well as the oppressiveness of a cultural caste system.  However, as Phiona improves her skills and becomes an international phenom, she also becomes a beacon of hope for her entire country.

Directed by veteran Mira Nair (Monsoon Wedding, Salaam Bombay!), Katwe thrives with vibrancy and energy.  Having lived there for many years, Nair clearly has a passion for Uganda and she uses that to her advantage.  With their history of ‘feel-good films’, there may have been a temptation by Disney to ask Nair to temper some of the realities of life in Uganda to make it more ‘palatable’ to a wider audience.  However, to their credit, Disney wisely allows Nair to really explore the country and bring it to life onscreen.  While not shying away from the trials of life in Katwe (i.e. floods, extreme poverty), Nair also reveals that the area and its people are full of life and energy.  Bright colours flood the screen during the scenes in Uganda, deliberately contrasted with the more pale hues of Phiona’s tournaments abroad.  The music is infused with joy in the midst of heartbreaking circumstances.  Clearly invigorated with this project, Nair deftly balances Uganda’s vibrancy with its stories of suffering in a way that both challenges and encourages.

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While both Nyong’o and (especially) Oyelowo demonstrate their skill in bringing complexity to their characters, the real star here is Madina Nalwanga.  Having come from Uganda herself, Nalwanga slides effortlessly into the role of the chess prodigy and reveals a reality within Phiona that may have been a challenge for others.  For a first-time actress, Nalwanga portrays Phiona with both ferocity and humility and owns every scene.

Throughout the film, Phiona is reminded that ‘she belongs [amongst the elite]’, despite what those around her believe.  Coming from the oppression of a caste system, Phiona wants to believe that she has value simply as herself yet she constantly runs into opposition.  With each foreign chess tournament victory, we witness Phiona struggle with the tension of life beyond Katwe and the reality her family lives within.  Her struggle is not merely to win games or become a chess master but to bring hope to her family and country.  The emotional bedrock for this storyline comes through her relationship with Oyelowo’s portrayal of missionary Robert Katende who patiently and lovingly supports his young team throughout their journey.  While the faith elements of Katende’s influence are not emphasized in this particular film, they are evident in his grace-filled heart and commitment to the children’s emotional spiritual wholeness.  Despite what they have been told, Katende wants the children to understand that there is hope beyond their circumstances.  The game of chess is merely his way of passing on that hope.

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Interestingly, one of the finer touches of the film comes in the closing credit sequence when the actors take the screen next to their real counterparts.  To see Nyong’o stand next to the real Harriet (among others) was a subtle but poignant touch at the end of the piece to remind the viewer of the authenticity of the story.  (In fact, many of the subjects had constant access to the sets and built solid relationships with the cast and crew.)  Disney wants you to know that these people are not some characters they have created–they are very real and this is their story.

In the end, while Queen of Katwe does follow many of the story beats of other ‘unknown person makes it big’ films, the cast is so strong and the film has so much energy that it still feels fresh.  While chess may be the game that drives the narrative, the film is about much more than a game.  It is about hope and sacrifice, and offers a deeper understanding of an area of the world that we do not hear much about.

With Katwe, Disney can definitely claim ‘checkmate’.

 

For more information about Queen of Katwe, check out the latest episodes of the ScreenFish podcast below for roundtable interviews with stars Lupita Nyong’o, David Oyelowo and director, Mira Nair or 1on1 interviews with Phiona Mutesi and Robert Katende themselves!

Roundtable with Lupita Nyong’o and director Mira Nair

Roundtable with David Oyelowo and 1on1 with Robert Katende

1on1 with Phiona Mutesi

The Jungle Book – Updating a Classic of a Classic

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“Now this is the Law of the Jungle — as old and as true as the sky;
And the Wolf that shall keep it may prosper, but the Wolf that shall break it must die.

As the creeper that girdles the tree-trunk the Law runneth forward and back —
For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack.”

The Jungle Book is Disney’s new high-tech, live-action (sort of) remake of their 1967 animated film based on Rudyard Kipling’s 1894 book. The new version tries to find a middle path between the more light-hearted earlier film, and the darker, more mythic Kipling story. Director Jon Favreau purposely wanted to keep some of the elements of the earlier film that he loved as a child. But rather than produce a straight remake, he has created something much more enticing with much greater depth.

Because the film is mostly CG animation (assisted at various points of production with puppetry and motion capture), it has an amazingly realistic look to it. These are not cartoon tigers, wolves, and bears. They look real, even though they talk. That in itself makes the film a bit darker and scarier (especially for younger children). The action/adventure element can be intense at times, but that just adds to the enjoyment of the film.

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The film is part coming of age story and part hero’s journey. This is the story of Mowgli (Neel Sethi, the only actual onscreen performer), a man-cub discovered alone in the jungle as an infant by the panther Bagheera (voiced by Ben Kingsley). Knowing that Mowgli would need “a people” to raise him, he was left with the wolf pack lead by Akela and Raksha (Giancarlo Esposito and Lupita Nyong’o). This is the only home and family that Mowgli has known. When the tiger Shere Khan (Idris Elba) discovers there is a man-cub in the jungle, he vows to kill it and anyone who stands in his way.

It is decided that Mowgli must leave the jungle for the realm of men. He and Bagheera start off on a journey to the human village. Along the way there are adventures—some fun, others quite dangerous—in which Mowgli must learn to make wise choices. He also must use his resourcefulness (a part of his human nature) as he makes his way. Among those he meets on the way are Kaa (Scarlett Johansson) a massive and seductive python, Baloo (Bill Murray) a slothful but lovable bear, and King Louie (Christopher Walken), a huge Gigantopithicus (a cross between an orangutan and a yeti) who wants Mowgli to give him the secret of man’s red flower (fire) so he can rule the jungle.

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There are several themes in the story worth exploring. The first is what it means to be human and what it means that humans are animals. Mowgli, having been raised by the jungle animals, really thinks like them. He has had no contact with humans so he doesn’t know what they are like. Yet, he is also different from the animals. He has “tricks”. He creates and uses tools. He makes complicated plans to achieve an end. But Mowgli, even though he has certain skills as a part of his nature, is never seen as above the other animals. He feels he belongs to the jungle, and most of the animals accept him as he is.

Mowgli also must choose between two approaches to life. Bagheera, his primary mentor, and the wolf pack live by order and rules. The pack regularly recites the Law of the Jungle (taken from a Kipling poem). Bagheera (as played by Kingsley) has a military swagger. But when Mowgli meets Baloo, he is exposed to a much different understanding. Baloo lives for ease and pleasure. At first look, this may come across as the kind of difference between wisdom and folly found in the biblical book of Proverbs. But Mowgli learns that each way of living has its own rewards. It is not so much that he must choose between them as he must learn to balance them. Bagheera and Baloo also learn of the need to balance.

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But the key value that The Jungle Book puts forward is that of community. Mowgli alone may be resourceful and creative, but he is no match for the dangers in the jungle. That is why Bagheera gave him to the wolf pack to raise. Much of the film is built around the idea of community: Mowgli and the Pack, Mowgli and Bagheera’s relationship, and Mowgli’s working and playing with Baloo are all about the importance of being tied to one another. And when Mowgli and Shere Kahn must settle scores, as we know they must, it is the Law of the Jungle—“For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack”—that sets the stage for the outcome. In Ecclesiastes it says,

“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up the other; but woe to one who is alone and falls and does not have another to help. Again, if two lie together, they keep warm; but how can one keep warm alone? And though one might prevail against another, two will withstand one. A threefold cord is not quickly broken.”

The importance of helping each other and living in peace with others is at the core of The Jungle Book.

Photos courtesy of Walt Disney Studios