The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (29 Mar. 2009)

A Botswanan woman starts up the country's first female-owned detective agency. Based on the series of novels by Alexander McCall Smith.

Director:

Anthony Minghella

Writers:

Richard Curtis (teleplay), Anthony Minghella (teleplay),

Stars:

Jill Scott, Anika Noni Rose, Lucian Msamati

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Jill Scott	...	Precious Ramotswe
Anika Noni Rose	...	Grace Makutsi
Lucian Msamati	...	JLB Matekoni
Nikki Amuka-Bird	...	Alice Busang (as Nikki Amuka Bird)
Desmond Dube	...	BK
Tumisho Masha	...	Lucky Sesana
Bongeka Mpongwana	...	Happy Bapetsi
David Oyelowo	...	Kremlin Busang
John Kani	...	Daddy Bapetsi
Vusi Kunene	...	Doctor Gulubane
Harriet Lenabe	...	Mma Notshi (as Harriet Manamela)
Colin Salmon	...	Note Makoti
Idris Elba	...	Charlie Gotso
Lindani Nkosi	...	Hector Lepodise
Vasco Shoba	...	Obed Ramotswe

Storyline

After her father dies, Botswanan Precious Ramotse decides to sell her inheritance - 180 cows - and move to the capital Gaborone and open a detective agency. From a young age her father had trained her to develop her memory skills and she has a keen sense of observation. Business is slow, but Precious soon has a secretary, Grace Makutsi and fits in well with her neighbors. Slowly, clients begin to trickle in: a woman who thinks the man who claims to be her father - he had abandoned the family when she was just a young child - is actually an impostor; a woman who thinks her husband is having an affair - a view Grace enthusiastically generally supports since she thinks all men are liars and cheaters; and a factory owner who thinks an employee claiming compensation for an accident is scamming him. Her interest is also drawn to the case of a missing boy but she she must face a powerful local gangster to get the information she needs.

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Plot Keywords:

impostor | infidelity | black magic | kidnapping | cattle | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Drama | Family | Mystery

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Details

Official Sites:

BBC [United Kingdom]

Country:

UK South Africa Botswana USA

Language:

Tswana English

Release Date:

29 March 2009 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Gaborone, Botswana

Box Office

Budget:

$40,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Film Afrika Worldwide, British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Cinechicks

Technical Specs

Runtime:

109 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

10ft electrified fences surrounded most sets to protect cast and crew from animal attack.

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Quotes

Grace Makutsi: [after meeting BK for the first time] That man is very much like a woman.

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Soundtracks

"Re Botswana"
Written by Malefo Mokha
Licensed courtesy of Small House Records
Performed by Stampore
Licensed courtesy of Small House Records

User Reviews

Anthony Minghella works his magic

What a great surprise to see how Anthony Minghella has made this movie in Botswana with Jill Scott in staring role as the Lady detective. The casting is perfect. The colours of Botswana are truly beautiful and the country might really be the star of the film. Superb photography by Seamus McGarvey who also did Atonement.

This is a simple story really bought to life with a host of talent. A child, a little girl, taught be her father to be observant, retain a good memory, look after others, goes to live in the town after her fathers death to set up the first detective agency in Botswana to be run by a lady. She then goes about finding clients and solving their problems. During the story the viewer is treated to some great shots of wildlife and the wonderful Botswana colours & country side. An endearing film not to missed. The sad part of the story is that Anthony Minghella is no longer with us & we will not see his like again. Barriebrdc.