The First Grader

{{short description|2010 film by Justin Chadwick}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}} {{Infobox film | name = The First Grader | image = The First Graderfilm.jpg | alt =  | caption = Theatrical release poster | director = Justin Chadwick | producer = Sam Feuer Richard Harding David M. Thompson Mario Zvan | writer = Ann Peacock | starring = Oliver Litondo Naomie Harris Tony Kgoroge | music = Alex Heffes | cinematography = Rob Hardy | editing = Paul Knight | studio = Distant Horizon National Geographic Entertainment Videovision Entertainment BBC Films UK Film Council Sixth Sense Productions Origin Pictures Big Boy Films Lipsync Productions Arte France | distributor = Goldcrest Films International Distant Horizon (United States) National Geographic Entertainment (International) | released = {{Film date|df=y|2010|09|04|Telluride|2011|05|13|United States|2011|06|24|United Kingdom}} | runtime = 103 minutes | country = United Kingdom United States Kenya | language = English Swahili | budget = | gross = $1.2 million }} '''''The First Grader''''' is a 2011 biographical drama film directed by Justin Chadwick. It stars Naomie Harris, Oliver Litondo, and Tony Kgoroge. The film is inspired by the true story of Kimani Maruge, a Kenyan farmer who enrolled in elementary school at the age of 84 following the Kenyan government's announcement of free universal primary education in 2003 by the late Emilio Mwai Kibaki, the third president of the Republic of Kenya.<ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/13/movies/the-first-grader-justin-chadwicks-tale-of-kenyan-culture-review.html?ref=movies&_r=0 | title = Simple Quest for Literacy Hits a Wall of Politics | author = A. O. Scott | work = The New York Times | date = 12 May 2011 | access-date = 2015-12-17 | archive-date = 13 November 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211113100816/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/13/movies/the-first-grader-justin-chadwicks-tale-of-kenyan-culture-review.html?ref=movies&_r=0 | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{Citation |last=Chadwick |first=Justin |title=The First Grader |date=2011-06-24 |type=Biography, Drama, Romance |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0790663/?ref_=ls_i_8 |access-date=2025-09-04 |others=Naomie Harris, Oliver Litondo, Tony Kgoroge |publisher=BBC Film, UK Film Council, Videovision Entertainment}}</ref>

==Plot== In 2003, a disc jockey announces over a Kenyan radio station that the government is offering free primary school education to all natives who can prove citizenship with a birth certificate. Kimani Maruge (Litondo), an 84-year-old villager, hears this and decides to take it upon himself to seek an education. Arriving at his local school, he meets Jane Obinchu (Harris), the principal and teacher. He expresses his desire to learn how to read. Her teaching colleague Alfred (Munyua), ridicules him and demands he leave. Later, Jane informs her husband Charles (Kgoroge) about Maruge. He discourages her in supporting his educational endeavor.

After beginning his initial classes, Maruge is plagued by memories of his service during the Mau Mau Uprising against the British in the 1950s. He begins to hallucinate and becomes confrontational with the students, struggling to continue his academics. Controversy begins to stir over Maruge's education. Soon enough, the story that an elderly man going to school becomes national headlines. Mr. Kipruto (Kunene), a superintendent of the school district, is alerted to the situation and strongly disapproves of Maruge's predicament and suggests that he go to an adult educational facility.

Meeting with the head of the education board to plead Maruge's case, Jane is overruled. It is explained to her that if an exception is made to keep Maruge in the school, others will follow, and many schools will eventually become filled with older people sitting aside children. Maruge is forced to attend an adult learning centre, where he soon finds himself surrounded by people with no motivation or ambition to study. Maruge vows to never go back to the adult institution. Jane later decides to offer him a reprieve, to work as her teaching assistant. As Maruge's story gains publicity and attention, the local press descend on the school, causing friction among the parents. The villagers believe Jane and Maruge are seeking fame and fortune at the expense of the children. Following negative feedback and random acts of violence against the school, Jane soon receives a letter that she is to be transferred to another educational institute a few hundred miles away.

Jane reveals to Maruge that she is relocating, and then commences an emotional goodbye with the children. Following protests and disobedience on part of the students towards their new teacher, Maruge is motivated to travel to Nairobi to appeal himself to the education board. Jane is reinstated at the school, where Maruge and the children are there to welcome her. The film's epilogue displays a series of graphics stating that at age 84, Maruge is the oldest person to start primary school according to the Guinness Book of World Records. Supplementally, he was invited to make a speech before international leaders at the UN in New York regarding the power of education. He inspired a whole new generation of people to go to school for the first time. Maruge later died in 2009.

==Cast== *Naomie Harris as Jane Obinchu *Oliver Litondo as Kimani Maruge *Alfred Munyua as Alfred *Tony Kgoroge as Charles Obinchu *Vusi Kunene as Mr. Kipruto *Sam Feuer as American Journalist *Shoki Mogkgapa as Elizabeth *Agnes Simaloi as Agnes *Kamau Mbaya as Kamau Chege *Emily Njoki as Young Maruge's Wife *Lwanda Jawar as Young Maruge *Dan 'Churchill' Ndambuki as DJ Masha *Hannah Wacera as Maruge's Daughter *John Kimani as Maruge's Baby Son *Macharia Kamau as DJ's PA *Abubakar Mwenda as Boie *Tom Gitau as Old Codger *Watson Mbirua as Old Codger *Shadrack Murimi Gachuhi as Old Codger *Mwenga Matilika as Old Codger *Kathyline Ndogori as Teacher Katherine *Israel Matseke-Zulu as David Chege *Shirleen Wangari as Mother Wanjiku *Benta Ochieng as Mother Benta *Peter Emera Pious as Jonas *Joel Rempesa as Joel *Peter Marias as Peter *Eunice Tekero as Village Woman *Jackie Musimbi as Village Girl *Susan Sisian as Young Mother *Kurenda Ole Kureya as Maasai Store Owner *Nick Reding as Officer Johnson *Nick Ndichu as Mau Mau Oath Giver *Paul Mbogo as Mau Mau Leader *Zingaro Percussions as Mau Mau Warriors *Jeanette Elsworth as Plantation Owner's Wife *Kamau Ndungu as John Gambe *Mary Mbirua as Stall Owner *Catherine Njiru as Stall Owner *Mumbi Kaigwa as Education Secretary *Charles Ouda as Adult School Teacher *Rachel Jones as BBC Journalist *Lydia Gitachu as CNN Journalist *Gilbert K. Lukalia as Mr. Mutahi / Politician *Melvin Alusa as Mr. Mutahi's Aide *Irene Kariuki as Mrs. Muthumba *Rosemary Nyambura as Jacquie (PA to the Chairman) *Ainea Ojiambo as Education Official *John Sibi-Okumu as Chairman of Education *Michael Oyier as Newsreader

==Production== ===Filming=== [[File:Africa6 006.jpg|thumb|right|The Great Rift Valley in Kenya, where filming took place.]] US based film producer Sam Feuer found the story on the front page of the LA Times and optioned the rights. He, and then, producing partner Richard Harding, partnered with BBC Films and hired Ann Peacock to write the screenplay. The British produced film was shot on location in the Rift Valley in Kenya, despite earlier reports that it would be filmed in South Africa. Director Chadwick conveyed, "We could have shot it in South Africa, but Kenya has this unbelievable, inexplicable energy inherent in the children, and the people we were making the film about".<ref>Interview with director Justin Chadwick, reproduced by Soda Pictures. Theatrical Press Kit. Retrieved 2015-12-15.</ref>

== Music == {{Main|The First Grader (soundtrack)}}

==Reception== ===Critical response=== Among mainstream critics the film received generally mixed reviews.<ref name="meta">{{cite web | url = http://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-first-grader | title = The First Grader | work = CNET Networks | publisher = Metacritic | access-date = 2015-12-15 | archive-date = 17 September 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200917191422/https://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-first-grader | url-status = live }}</ref> Rotten Tomatoes gave the film a fresh score of 61% based on reviews from 71 critics, with an average score of 5.6 out of 10.<ref name="tomatoes">{{cite web | url = http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_first_grader/ | title = The First Grader (2010) | work = IGN Entertainment | publisher = Rotten Tomatoes | access-date = 2015-12-15 | archive-date = 3 December 2024 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20241203211411/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_first_grader | url-status = live }}</ref> At Metacritic, which assigns a weighted average out of 100 to critics' reviews, ''The First Grader'' was given a score of 56 based on 21 reviews.<ref name="meta" />

==Awards and nominations== {| class="wikitable" |+ !Year !Awarding Organisation !Category !Nominee !Result !Ref |- |2011 |Emden International Film Festival |The Bernhard Wicki Award |''The First Grader'' |{{Won}} |<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title="The First Grader" Tops The Class at Kenya Film Festival - News - The First Grader |url=http://www.thefirstgrader-themovie.com/news/the-first-grader-tops-the-class-at-kenya-film-festival.html |access-date=2025-09-13 |website=www.thefirstgrader-themovie.com |language=en}}</ref> |- |2011 |Emden International Film Festival |The DGB Trade Union Award (Audience Choice) |''The First Grader'' |{{Won}} |<ref name=":0" /> |- |2011 |Satellite Awards |Best Education Film |''The first Grader'' |{{Won}} |<ref>{{cite web |date=19 December 2011 |title=Satellite Awards - Red Carpet Interviews |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcqffPuAclY/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211115000205/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcqffPuAclY/ |archive-date=15 November 2021 |access-date=3 May 2020 |website=YouTube}}</ref> |- |2011 |Gotham Awards |Audience Award |''The First Grader'' |{{Nominated}} |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Past Recipients |url=https://awards.thegotham.org/past-recipients/ |access-date=2025-09-13 |website=The Gotham Awards |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=28 November 2011 |title=Gotham Awards 2011 |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/gotham-awards-2011-charlize-theron-gary-oldman-david-cronenberg-266731 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111130014819/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/gotham-awards-2011-charlize-theron-gary-oldman-david-cronenberg-266731 |archive-date=30 November 2011 |access-date=3 May 2020 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=9 November 2011 |title=Gotham Awards Announce 2011 Hosts and Audience Award Nominees |url=https://www.indiewire.com/2011/11/gotham-awards-announce-2011-hosts-and-audience-award-nominees-51216/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027161030/https://www.indiewire.com/2011/11/gotham-awards-announce-2011-hosts-and-audience-award-nominees-51216/ |archive-date=27 October 2020 |access-date=3 May 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=10 November 2011 |title=Word of Mouth: 'The First Grader' seeks Oscar attention |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-xpm-2011-nov-10-la-et-word-20111110-story.html/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211115022437/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-xpm-2011-nov-10-la-et-word-20111110-story.html |archive-date=15 November 2021 |access-date=3 May 2020 |website=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> |- |2012 |Image Awards (NAACP) |Outstanding Motion Picture |''The First Grader'' |{{Nominated}} |<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2012-01-20 |title='The First Grader' Scores At Naacp Image Awards |url=https://www.videovision.co.za/2012/01/20/the-first-grader-scores-at-naacp-image-awards/ |access-date=2025-09-13 |website=Videovision Entertainment |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2012-02-18 |title=NAACP Image Awards: List of winners - CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/naacp-image-awards-list-of-winners/ |access-date=2025-09-13 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |2012 |Image Awards (NAACP) |Outstanding Actor in Motion Picture |Oliver Litondo |{{Nominated}} |<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=NAACP Image Awards – Buzz Central |url=https://buzzcentral.co.ke/tag/naacp-image-awards/ |access-date=2025-09-13 |language=en-GB}}</ref> |- |2012 |Image Awards (NAACP) |Outstanding Independent Motion Picture |''The First Grader'' |{{Nominated}} |<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> |- |2012 |Image Awards (NAACP) |Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture |Ann Peacock |{{Won}} |<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> |- |2012 |Image Awards (NAACP) |Outstanding Soundtrack Album |Alex Hefes |{{Nominated}} |<ref>{{cite web |title=ABC news story |url=http://abc7.com/archive/8511789/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423141026/http://abc7.com/archive/8511789/ |archive-date=23 April 2016 |access-date=9 November 2016}}</ref><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> |- |2012 |Image Awards (NAACP) |Outsatnding Motion Picture |''The First Grader'' |{{Nominated}} |<ref name=":2" /> |- |2012 |Image Awards (NAACP) |Outstanding Independent Motion Picture |''The First Grader'' |{{Nominated}} |<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> |- |2011 |Nashville Film Festival |Best Feature |''The First Grader'' |{{Won}} | |- |2011 |Palm Beach International Film Festival |Best Feature Film |''The First Grader'' |{{Won}} |<ref>{{Cite web |last=P |first=Terry |date=2011-03-30 |title="The First Grader" + All Winners of 2011 Palm Beach International Film Festival |url=https://vimooz.com/2011/03/30/qthe-first-graderq-all-winners-of-2011palm-beach-international-film-festival/ |access-date=2025-09-13 |website=VIMooZ |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |2011 |Rochester International Film Festival |Best narrative Film |''The First Film'' |{{Won}} |<ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-11-10 |title=Word of Mouth: 'The First Grader' seeks Oscar attention |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-xpm-2011-nov-10-la-et-word-20111110-story.html |access-date=2025-09-13 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Magazine |first=Ladybrille |date=2011-05-13 |title=African Films: The First Grader Opens this Friday May 13th in Los Angeles & New York City! - Ladybrille® Magazine |url=https://ladybrille.com/african-films-the-first-grader-opens-this-friday-may-13th-in-los-angeles-new-york-city/ |access-date=2025-09-13 |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |2011 |Sedona International Film Festival |Best Feature Film- Director's Choice award |''The First Grader'' |{{Won}} |<ref name="sedona">{{Cite web |title=Award Winners: Past Festivals |url=https://sedonafilmfestival.com/award-winners-past-festivals/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019230502/https://sedonafilmfestival.com/award-winners-past-festivals/ |archive-date=19 October 2021 |access-date=13 November 2021}}</ref> |- |2011 |Sedona International Film Festival |Best Feature Film - Audience Award |''The First Grader'' |{{Won}} |<ref name="sedona" /> |- |2010 |Sedona International Film Festival |Best Feature Film - Audience Award |''The First Grader'' |{{Won}} |<ref name="sedona" /> |- |2010 |Sedona International Film Festival |Best Feature Film- Director's Choice award |''The First Grader'' |{{Won}} |<ref name="sedona" /> |- |2010 |Toronto International Film Festival |People's Choice Award |''The First Grader'' |{{Nominated}} |<ref>{{cite news |date=20 September 2010 |title=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-toronto/kings-speech-wins-top-toronto-film-fest-prize-idUKTRE68I29320100920 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211115040321/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-toronto/kings-speech-wins-top-toronto-film-fest-prize-idUKTRE68I29320100920 |archive-date=15 November 2021 |access-date=3 May 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-09-20 |title=Toronto 2010: With 'First Grader,' National Geographic goes back to school |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/blogs/24-frames/story/2010-09-20/toronto-2010-with-first-grader-national-geographic-goes-back-to-school |access-date=2025-09-13 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |2011 |World Soundtrack Awards |Discovery of The Year |Alex Heffes |{{Won}} |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Winners & Nominees |url=https://www.worldsoundtrackawards.com/awards/winners-and-nominees |access-date=2025-09-13 |website=World Soundtrack Awards |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=World Soundtrack Awards |url=https://www.filmfestival.be/en/festival/awards/world-soundtrack-awards |access-date=2025-09-13 |website=Film Fest Gent |language=en}}</ref> |- |2012 |Zanzibar International Film Festival |Best Feature - Ingoma Trophy |''The First Grader'' |{{Won}} | |- |2012 |Black Reel Awards |Best Actor |Oliver Litondo |{{Nominated}} |<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Star shines bright for 'The First grader' actor |url=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/business/business/article/2000050371/n-a |access-date=2025-09-13 |website=The Standard |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |url=https://mubi.com/en/ke/films/the-first-grader |title=The First Grader (2010) |website=MUBI |language=en |access-date=2025-09-13}}</ref> |- |2012 |Black Reel Awards |Best Actress |Naomie Harris |{{Nominated}} |<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" /> |- |2012 |Black Reel Awards |Best Original Score |Alex Heffes |{{Nominated}} |<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" /> |- |2012 |Black Reel Awards |Outstanding Foreign Film |''The First Grader'' |{{Nominated}} |<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" /> |- |2011 |Durban International Film Festival |Best Film |''The First Grader'' |{{Won}} |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Durban International Film Festival Audience Award for TFG - News - The First Grader |url=http://www.thefirstgrader-themovie.com/news/durban-international-film-festival-audience-award-for-tfg.html |access-date=2025-09-13 |website=www.thefirstgrader-themovie.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=First In Class |url=https://www.gq.co.za/culture/entertainment/first-in-class-16533443 |access-date=2025-09-13 |website=www.gq.co.za |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-08-13 |title=Winners of the 32nd Durban International Film Festival 2011 – Supple Magazine |url=https://www.supplemagazine.org/winners-of-the-32nd-durban-international-film-festival-2011/ |access-date=2025-09-13 |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |2011 |Pan African Film Festival |Narrative Feature Film - Audience Favorite Award |''The First Grader'' |{{Won}} | |- |2011 |Black Film Critics Circle Awards |Best Actor |Oliver Litondo |{{Won}} |<ref>{{Cite web |title=News - The First Grader |url=http://www.thefirstgrader-themovie.com/news/tag/maruge |access-date=2025-09-13 |website=www.thefirstgrader-themovie.com |language=en}}</ref> |- |2012 |Ivor Novello Awards |Best Original Film Score |Alex Heffes |{{Won}} | |- |2012 |AARP Movies for Grownups Awards |Best Actor |Oliver Litondo |{{Won}} |<ref>{{Cite web |title=The First Grader by director Justin Chadwick, Movies for Grownups review |url=https://www.aarp.org/entertainment/movies-for-grownups/movies-for-grownups-review-the-first-grader/ |access-date=2025-09-13 |website=AARP |language=english}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=February 9, 2012 |title=Kenyan actor wins big in US film award |url=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/the-standard/article/2000051766/kenyan-actor-wins-big-in-us-film-award?pageNo=2 |access-date=2025-09-13 |website=The Standard |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Potts |first=Kimberly |date=2012-01-20 |title=AARP's Best Movie for Grownups? 'The Descendants' |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/technology/aarps-best-movie-for-grownups-the-descendants-idUS687060738/ |access-date=2025-09-13 |work=Reuters |language=en}}</ref> |- |2011 |360 365 Film Festival |Best Feature |''The First Grader'' |{{Won}} | |}

==See also== *2010 in film *Mau Mau Uprising

==References== ;Footnotes {{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links== * {{Official website|http://www.thefirstgrader-themovie.com/}} * {{IMDb title|0790663|The First Grader}} * {{rotten-tomatoes|the_first_grader|The First Grader}} * {{Metacritic film|title=The First Grader}} * {{mojo title|firstgrader|The First Grader}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:First Grader}} Category:2010 biographical drama films Category:2010 drama films Category:2010 films Category:2010 American films Category:2010 British films Category:2010 English-language films Category:American biographical drama films Category:BBC Film films Category:British biographical drama films Category:English-language biographical drama films Category:English-language Kenyan films Category:Films about adult education Category:Films about race and ethnicity Category:Films directed by Justin Chadwick Category:Films scored by Alex Heffes Category:Films set in 2003 Category:Films set in Kenya Category:Films shot in Kenya Category:Kenyan drama films