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The First Grader

  • 2010
  • 16
  • 1h 43m
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
4.9K
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.

  • Director
    • Justin Chadwick
  • Writer
    • Ann Peacock
  • Stars
    • Naomie Harris
    • Oliver Litondo
    • Tony Kgoroge
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.4/10
    4.9K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Justin Chadwick
    • Writer
      • Ann Peacock
    • Stars
      • Naomie Harris
      • Oliver Litondo
      • Tony Kgoroge
    • 22User reviews
    • 61Critic reviews
    • 56Metascore
  • See production info 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
    THE FIRST GRADER
    Trailer 2:19
    THE FIRST GRADER

    Photos123

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    Top cast50

    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
    • Director
      • Justin Chadwick
    • Writer
      • 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

    A touching story

    This film is about a 84-year-old man who insists on attending primary school, when the Kenyan government announces that there is free education for all.

    "The First Grader" is about an elderly man who wants to be educated. His action provokes debate within the viewer, as we have to decide on how to interpret the Kenyan government's promise, ethical issues, effective allocation of public resources and opportunity costs. This topic is already very interesting and intellectually stimulating. There is also a subplot about the dark colonial history of Kenya, which probably aims to enhance the viewers' connection with the protagonist. However, I find the subplot ineffective without more detailed background history of Kenya, and more development on this subplot. Despite the shortcoming, "The First Grader" is still a touching and inspiring tale.
    • Gordon-11
    • Oct 22, 2011
    • Permalink

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    FAQ19

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 18, 2011 (Netherlands)
    • 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 Film
      • 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

    Tech specs

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

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