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The First Grader (2010) 7.1
Ratings:
7.1/10 from 1,673 users
Metascore: 56/100
Reviews: 14 user | 62 critic | 21 from Metacritic.com The true story of an 84 year-old Kenyan villager and ex Mau Mau freedom fighter who fights for his right to go to school for the first time to get the education he could never afford. Director:Justin ChadwickWriter:Ann Peacock |
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Naomie Harris | ... | ||
| Oliver Litondo | ... | ||
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Tony Kgoroge | ... |
Charles Obinchu
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Alfred Munyua | ... |
Teacher Alfred
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Shoki Mokgapa | ... |
Teacher Elizabeth
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Vusi Kunene | ... |
Mr. Kipruto
(as Vusimizi Michael Kunene)
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Agnes Simaloi | ... |
Agnes
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Kamau Mbaya | ... |
Kamau Chege
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Emily Njoki | ... |
Young Maruge's wife
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Lwanda Jawar | ... | |
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Dan 'Churchill' Ndambuki | ... | |
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Hannah Wacera | ... |
Maruge's Daughter
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John Kimani | ... |
Maruge's Baby Son
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Macharia Kamau | ... |
DJ's PA
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Abubakar Mwenda | ... | |
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Plot Summary
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Plot Synopsis
Storyline
Set in a mountain village in Kenya the film tells the remarkable true and uplifting story of a proud old Mau Mau veteran who is determined to seize his last chance to learn to read and write - and so ends up joining a class alongside six year-olds. Together he and his young teacher face fierce resistance, but ultimately they win through - and also find a new way of overcoming the burdens of the colonial past. Written by Unknown
Taglines:
It's never too late to dream.Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
Rated PG-13 for some disturbing violent content and brief nudity | See all certifications »Parents Guide:
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Details
Language:
EnglishRelease Date:
24 June 2011 (Ireland) See more »Also Known As:
Az iskolakezdő See more »Filming Locations:
KenyaBox Office
Opening Weekend:
$20,437 (USA) (13 May 2011)Gross:
$330,533 (USA) (29 July 2011)Company Credits
Show detailed
company contact information
on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
Dolby DigitalColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1
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Kimani N'gan'ga Maruge: I want to learn to read.
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Did You Know?
Quotes
Jane Obinchu: Mmzee, why does someone as old as yourself want to go to school?Kimani N'gan'ga Maruge: I want to learn to read.
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The First Grader (2010), directed by Justin Chadwick, is a serious and important film that is being advertised as a feel-good movie, suitable for kids. It's an excellent movie, but not for kids. The film is a portrayal of the true story of Kimani N'gan'ga Maruge, an 84-year-old Kenyan man who successfully enrolled in a first grade.
Maruge is a former Mau-Mau revolutionary and prisoner of war. He was horribly tortured by the British army, but his spirit was never broken. When the Kenyan government announces "free education for all," he accepts this literally and tries to enroll in the first grade.
This neglect of former revolutionaries has occurred in many countries, and, at least in the film, Kenya is no exception. As portrayed in the movie, the Kenyan government officials aren't that different from the British colonial officials, except for skin color. They're certainly not enthusiastic about large numbers of adults following Maruge's example and enrolling in school.
The film is overly simplistic at times. The behavior of the dedicated teacher who accepts Maruge in her class is too good to be true, and the other education officials are all "bad-guy" cardboard cutouts. A subplot involving the teacher (Jane Obinchu) and her husband is contrived and leads nowhere.
The torture scenes are horribly graphic and almost certainly realistic. (See the entry about Kenya in Wikipedia for the terrible details.) Those scenes make the movie completely unsuitable for children, in my opinion.
The film is still worth seeing because it is based on a true event. Who cannot be moved by an 84-year-old who is determined to read? In addition, the acting by the two principals, Naomie Harris as the teacher Jane Obinchu, and Oliver Litondo as Kimani Manuge is superb.
Although the film will work better on a large screen, it will definitely be worth seeing on DVD as well. Seek it out--it's worth the effort.