The First Grader

Director:  Justin Chadwick
Cast: Oliver Litonda, Naomie Harris, Alfred Munyua and Vusi Kunene
Releasing in cinemas: 17 November 2011
Rated: M

Here's a heart-warming (if tinged with sadness) story of a man determined to learn to read at the age of 84 in a remote Kenyan village. The reason: he wishes to understand an important official document from the Office of the President.

In 2003, the Kenyan government offers primary education free to all. Kimani N'gan'ga Maruge (Oliver Litonda) the old villager unable to afford schooling, was once a Mau Mau freedom fighter during the 1953 uprisings, later imprisoned by the British in their brutal ‘concentration’ camps. Maruge, after hearing this news of free education, fronts up to the local primary school where he meets Jane Obinchu (Naomie Harris), the principal, and wishes to enroll. Her co-worker Alfred (Alfred Munyua), concerned the old chap would take a place reserved for educating the young children, tells Maruge he needs two pencils and an exercise book not to mention suitable clothes.

Overcoming these difficulties, the desperate Maruge returns again pleading his case, and is finally admitted by sympathetic Jane to the classroom where he sits incongruously with the cheerful six-year-olds, and struggles to learn to write the alphabet. Despite the odds, he does achieve success and an unexpected notoriety, thanks to the persistence of Jane helping him. Maruge becomes a favourite with the children too, however the uptight school inspector Kipruto (Vusi Kunene) insists the old man be sent to an adult education centre, where he's totally lost. He's given a reprieve by Jane making him her assistant.

However this isn't all a walk in the park, dark scenes of torture haunt Maruge from his days in prison: “the past is always present”. The cruelty of the British at that time is forcefully presented. Then there are his detractors in the village, who believe he's wasting a space in the school which should be used for a child. Maruge's unwanted publicity gives rise to suspicion Jane's had money from the press, and this leads to his teacher being transferred to a distant posting. Life for them all becomes chaotic. But the story doesn't end there, and we're swept along to the uplifting conclusion.

Directed with steady hand by Justin Chadwick, whose previous work includes The Other Boleyn Girl, and TV's miniseries Bleak House, the film was shot entirely in Kenya. Anne Peacock's script is solidly based on the true events. Crowd scenes are especially well managed, and the children are a delight. They were all newcomers to the business of filming. What’s especially memorable are the warm performances of the lead players.

Oliver Litando, a TV news anchorman from the ‘70s, is outstanding for the depth of feeling he gives his character, and the fatherly manner which charms his young classmates. He really brings credible life to Maruge on the screen, with the sincerity of a Morgan Freeman. Equally impressive is Naomie Harris (Miami Vice) in a well-tempered performance as the dedicated Jane, having a brilliant manner of teaching the young. Vusi Kunene (The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency TV) gives a brittle edge to the obstreperous school inspector. The children, all picked from local schools, often steal the scenes in the classroom. Rob Hardy's cinematography of striking wild landscapes helps the developing atmosphere.

The First Grader is the true and inspired history of a proud brave old man determined to learn reading, and the teacher who helped him achieve his ambition. Maruge remains the Guinness Book of Records holder for the oldest person ever to go to primary school. He was later to address the United Nations on education in Africa. A story worth telling, a film worth seeing.   

John Bale