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IMDbPro

The First Grader

  • 20102010
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 1h 43m
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
4.7K
YOUR RATING
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
99+ Photos
BiographyDramaRomance
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
4.7K
YOUR RATING
    • Justin Chadwick
    • Ann Peacock
  • Stars
    • Naomie Harris
    • Oliver Litondo
    • Tony Kgoroge
    • Justin Chadwick
    • 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

    Videos2

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

    Photos123

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

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    Storyline

    Edit

    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
    Review
    Featured review
    9/10
    An inspiring and sensitive retelling of events
    This is a very moving account of actual events that took place 2003-2005, with a little poetic license in the retelling. The principle actors are brilliant, but some of the other characters are a little overdrawn. However, I think this kind of caricature may be derived from Kenyan culture.

    I thoroughly enjoyed the character development as well as the pacing of the story. It is also set in dramatic Kenyan landscapes which are enthralling. Having visited Kenya briefly in 2006, this brought back a lot of good memories of the country and the people. The smiles of the children you see amid the poverty is exactly how I remember it.

    As others have said, it isn't a movie for children, but should be on the "to watch" list for adolescents and adults.
    helpful•5
    0
    • Annother
    • May 2, 2012

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 24, 2011 (Ireland)
      • United Kingdom
      • United States
      • Kenya
      • France
      • Official site
      • Official site (Japan)
      • English
      • Swahili
    • Also known as
      • Kenya
    • Production companies
      • BBC Films
      • UK Film Council
      • Videovision Entertainment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • 1 hour 43 minutes
      • Color
      • Dolby Digital

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