Lupita Nyong’o praises resilience of Ugandans in new film

Lupita Nyong'o was left in awe with the "resilience of spirit" in Uganda, after filming her new film "Queen of Katwe" there.

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Lupita Nyong’o was left in awe with the “resilience of spirit” in Uganda.

Oscar-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o was left in awe with the “resilience of spirit” in Uganda, after filming her new film “Queen of Katwe” in one of the country’s poorest neighbourhoods.

The Oscar winner, 33, portrays Harriet Mutesi, the mother of real-life chess prodigy Phiona Mutesi who despite their family’s impoverished circumstances becomes a world champion, in the film, reported Contactmusic.

“There is an ease in the Ugandan demeanour that is very welcoming,” she said.

“I love the melody of the accent, the food, the music and the people’s inherent style. There was a familiarity with my home country, being right next door, but also complete surprise in what was so different. There is a resilience of spirit in Uganda.

“The slum of Katwe is a very difficult place to live, but you see these people living there with dignity. To go there and to have that environment to work from really did give life and meaning to our work. It was research, obstacle and inspiration.”

The film is also her first onscreen role since her Oscar-winning performance in 2013’s “12 Years a Slave”. Over the past year, she has voiced characters in both “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” and “The Jungle Book” but she never actually appeared in either project.

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