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The First Grader

  • 20102010
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 1h 43m
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
4.6K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Justin Chadwick, Naomie Harris, Oliver Litondo, Ann Peacock, David M. Thompson, and Sam Feuer in The First Grader (2010)
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.
Play trailer2:13
2 Videos
34 Photos
  • Biography
  • Drama
  • Romance

The story of an 84 year-old Kenyan villager and ex Mau Mau veteran who fights for his right to go to school for the first time to get the education he could never afford.The story of an 84 year-old Kenyan villager and ex Mau Mau veteran who fights for his right to go to school for the first time to get the education he could never afford.The story of an 84 year-old Kenyan villager and ex Mau Mau veteran who fights for his right to go to school for the first time to get the education he could never afford.

IMDb RATING
7.4/10
4.6K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Justin Chadwick
  • Writer
    • Ann Peacock
  • Stars
    • Naomie Harris
    • Oliver Litondo
    • Tony Kgoroge
Top credits
  • Director
    • Justin Chadwick
  • Writer
    • Ann Peacock
  • Stars
    • Naomie Harris
    • Oliver Litondo
    • Tony Kgoroge
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 22User reviews
    • 61Critic reviews
    • 56Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 18 wins & 12 nominations

    Videos2

    The First Grader
    Trailer 2:13
    The First Grader
    THE FIRST GRADER
    Trailer 2:19
    THE FIRST GRADER

    Photos34

    Justin Chadwick in The First Grader (2010)
    Naomie Harris in The First Grader (2010)
    Oliver Litondo in The First Grader (2010)
    Naomie Harris in The First Grader (2010)
    The First Grader (2010)
    Oliver Litondo in The First Grader (2010)
    Naomie Harris in The First Grader (2010)
    The First Grader (2010)
    The First Grader (2010)
    Naomie Harris in The First Grader (2010)
    The First Grader (2010)
    The First Grader (2010)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Naomie Harris
    Naomie Harris
    • Jane Obinchuas Jane Obinchu
    Oliver Litondo
    Oliver Litondo
    • Kimani Ng'ang'a Marugeas Kimani Ng'ang'a Maruge
    Tony Kgoroge
    • Charles Obinchuas Charles Obinchu
    Alfred Munyua
    • Teacher Alfredas Teacher Alfred
    Shoki Mokgapa
    • Teacher Elizabethas Teacher Elizabeth
    Vusi Kunene
    Vusi Kunene
    • Mr. Kiprutoas Mr. Kipruto
    • (as Vusumuzi Michael Kunene)
    Agnes Simaloi
    • Agnesas Agnes
    Kamau Mbaya
    • Kamau Chegeas Kamau Chege
    Emily Njoki
    • Young Maruge's Wifeas Young Maruge's Wife
    Lwanda Jawar
    • Young Marugeas Young Maruge
    Dan 'Churchill' Ndambuki
    • DJ Mashaas DJ Masha
    • (as Daniel Ndambuki 'Churchill')
    Hannah Wacera
    • Maruge's Daughteras Maruge's Daughter
    John Kimani
    • Maruge's Baby Sonas Maruge's Baby Son
    Macharia Kamau
    • DJ's PAas DJ's PA
    Abubakar Mwenda
    • Boieas Boie
    Tom Gitau
    • Old Codgeras Old Codger
    Watson Mbirua
    • Old Codgeras Old Codger
    Shadrack Murimi Gachuhi
    • Old Codgeras Old Codger
    • Director
      • Justin Chadwick
    • Writer
      • Ann Peacock
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    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. —Unknown
    • briton
    • elementary school
    • schoolteacher
    • president
    • kick
    • 177 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • It's never too late to dream.
    • Genres
      • Biography
      • Drama
      • Romance
    • Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
      • Rated PG-13 for some disturbing violent content and brief nudity
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Tony Kgoroge is a frequent collaborator with director Justin Chadwick, having also appeared in Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom (2013), another film Chadwick directed.
    • Quotes

      Kimani Ng'ang'a Maruge: I will continue learning, I want to become a vet.

      Jane Obinchu: [laughing] A vet? Maruge, you'll be almost 100 years old.

      Kimani Ng'ang'a Maruge: I will never stop learning until I have soil in my ears.

    • Crazy credits
      During the initial credits, there is 1. a photo of the real Maruge with some students. 2. a scene with the DJ mentioning Maruge's trip to the UN, and predicting that a Kenyan will ascend to the White House. 3. more scenes of the children at the school
    • Connections
      Featured in Maltin on Movies: The Hangover: Part II (2011)
    • Soundtracks
      Courage
      Artist: Vieux Farka Touré (as Vieux Farka Toure) Featuring Issa Bamba & Eric Herman

      Composer: Eric Herman

      Master: Modiba Productions LLC

      Publisher: Eric M Herman Publishing

      Used by permission.

    User reviews22

    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    From the Point Of View of a Smart, Bored, Jaded, Well Heeled Woman over 40
    Truly a Soul Enriching Journey: the rare piece of Cinema which might just change your interior life... to say much more than this is to take away from what Matters. My Emotional and Spiritual Journey through life is forever Sweetened by this Evocative, true-life story~ it is as if i've learned to find a Hero, all over again, for the first time.

    i know i can never have anything in common with this man, and yet i feel as though i love him... i would joyfully invite him into my life and would find paradise at his knee listening to him tell the stories of his life... his strength, courage, tenacity, need, and generosity of spirit make me feel shame at being human and find redemption in humanity at the same time.

    i've gained so much by giving just these few moments to this film, his story will stay with me until the End of Time. If there is a person on earth i admire as much as him, i've yet to meet them.
    helpful•8
    0
    • selfsimilarity-61803399
    • Oct 4, 2012

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 24, 2011 (Ireland)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Kingdom
      • United States
      • Kenya
      • France
    • Official sites
      • Official site
      • Official site (Japan)
    • Languages
      • English
      • Swahili
    • Also known as
      • The 1st Grader
    • Filming locations
      • Kenya
    • Production companies
      • BBC Films
      • UK Film Council
      • Videovision Entertainment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $332,000
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $20,437
      • May 15, 2011
    • Gross worldwide
      • $1,237,457
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 43 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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    Justin Chadwick, Naomie Harris, Oliver Litondo, Ann Peacock, David M. Thompson, and Sam Feuer in The First Grader (2010)
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