Maruge, an 84 yearold kenyan villager feels he has earned the opportunity to learn to read and write. I would love to share some of the things i have created and lesson plans i have made for free to the blog world. May 12, 2011 the first grader, directed by justin chadwick and written by ann peacock, tells the remarkable true story of kimani nganga maruge, an. Set in a mountain village in kenya the film tells the remarkable true and uplifting. The first grader the true story of an 84 yearold 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. The first grader, a remarkable new british film that has its uk premiere next week.
Directed by justin chadwick the other boleyn girlbleak house from a script by emmywinner ann peacock the chronicles of narnia, nights in rodanthe, kit kittridge, the first grader is a heart warming and inspiring true story of one mans fight for what he believes is his right in order to overcome the burdens of his past. The film is based on the true story of kimani maruge, a kenyan farmer who enrolled in elementary school at the age of 84 following the kenyan governments announcement of free universal primary education in 2003. The first grader 2011 cast and crew an 84yearold kenyan oliver litondo fights for his right to attend school for the first time and receive the education he previously could not afford. Durban international film festival audience award feature film emden international film festival the dgb trade union audience choice award and the bernhard wicki best film award. The first grader will be released in the united states on may, 2011 by national geographic entertainment.
Once you learn the true story behind the first grader as well as the commendable manner in which it was filmed, its unavoidable to feel even more fondness for an already lovable movie the first. The soldier who fought for the right to go to school in. His first feature film was the highlyacclaimed the other boleyn girl, which premiered at the 2008 berlin. The first grader 2011 rotten tomatoes movie trailers.
Durban international film festival audience award feature film. Johnny depp is an american actor, painter, character actor, voice actor, comedian, singer, director, songwriter, author, screenwriter, film producer, art director, discjockey, rock bassist, and musician. It is a triumphant testimony to the transforming force of education. These are the moments when the first grader comes alive and graduates into the stirring movie it promised to be. Both the film and alex heffes score are highly recommended. Although the arc of the story might be familiar, the setting and. Im a first grade teacher near houston in richmond, texas. I currently dont have a blog, but i am considering starting one of my own once things start to settle down. The first grader is based on a true story and what a true story it is. Its a fantastic story, and what makes it all the more amazing, as confirmed by justin chadwick at the festival, everything you see in the film is true and actually happened. Reviewed in the united states on december 31, 2011. The first grader is a selfcongratulatory and subtletyfree slog that makes saints of its protagonists, devils out of its antagonists and narcoleptics out of its audience. The first grader 2010 is a biography, drama movie starring naomie harris and tony kgoroge. Justin chadwick director filmography the first grader.
Everything you need to know about the first grader movie. The film spreads balm for old wounds and lifts the spirit with hope for the future. On or about september 21, 2010 the film was in completed status. The first grader movie official trailer 2011 youtube. The first grader 2010, directed by justin chadwick, is a serious and important film that is being advertised as a feelgood movie, suitable for kids. That said, the first grader isnt always an easy film to watch. Now, a new film celebrates his campaign to raise the profile of primary education in kenya, writes tracy. Hundreds of children are jostling for a chance for the free education newly promised by the kenyan government. The first grader pg 103 min romance, drama 4 september 2010 the true story of an 84 yearold 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. He started his film career by playing glen lantz in the 1984 horror film a nightmare on elm street. The true story of an 84 yearold 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. I think this is the first time that i can say that a film has had a profound affect upon me. Reading these first grade books together and then watching a movie version is a wonderful way to get your child thinking about character and setting details.
The first grader was released in 2011 on friday, may. This film tells a remarkable story, but oversimplifies it to the point of misinforming. Justin is an award winning theatre, television and film director who most recently completed shooting the first grader, starring naomie harris for origin pictures sixth sense productions for bbc films and the uk film council. The first grader is a transcendent human story about confronting injustice and achieving redemption. Emden international film festival the dgb trade union audience choice award and the. The first grader make a difference national geographic.
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. Also stream the first grader on your mobile, tablets and ipads. An interesting truelife story about a kenyan in his 80s who insists on his right to education has become a somewhat sappy and unsubtle film. In this warm and uplifting true story, an 84yearold kenyan man takes his governments new promise of free education for all literally, by applying to become the worlds oldest ever primary school student. The 1977 the many adventures of winnie the pooh and the 2011 winnie the pooh are faithful adaptations of the.
Based on a true story, an 84yearold kenyan fights to go to school after the country introduces universal education. The first grader is a 2010 biographical drama film directed by justin chadwick. And, like hotel rwanda, there are scenes of violence and torture that, while not bloody, are horrifying. Inspiring true story has some violent wartime flashbacks.
Slowly paced and featuring lots of subtitled dialogue, the story unfolds almost like a documentary or tv special, not a gripping drama. The first grader 2011 download movie for mobile in best quality 3gp and mp4 format. I just saw this film, yesterday, at the doha tribeca film festival. The true story of an 84 yearold kenyan villager and. A true story from kenya has unfortunately become a slightly hackneyed and insipid feelgood movie. The first grader, a remarkable new british film that has its uk. Former mau mau freedom fighter kimani nganga maruge was 84 when he first went to school. Read the the first grader plot and find out who is in the cast and crew at. The first grader is a heartwarming and inspiring true story of one mans fight for what he believes is his right in order to overcome the burdens of his past. The film is a portrayal of the true story of kimani nganga maruge, an 84yearold kenyan man who successfully enrolled in a first grade. The first grader by director justin chadwick, movies for grownups. Its available to watch on tv, online, tablets, phone. In a small, remote mountain top primary school in the kenyan bush, hundreds.
In particular, the spell binding cinematography takes full advantage of the rich african countryside, painting the landscape. The soldier who fought for the right to go to school in kenya. Watch the first grader trailer and make a difference. An 84yearold kenyan man decides to enter school for the first time. Moved by his plight, head teacher jane obinchu supports his struggle and together they face. It stars naomie harris, oliver litondo, and tony kgoroge. The first grader is blessed with moments of real authenticity. Watch the first grader online stream full movie directv. The latest incarnation, the first grader, proved to be one of the biggest crowdpleasers at this years telluride film festival. An 84yearold kenyan oliver litondo fights for his right to attend school for the first time and receive the education he previously could not afford. With stellar performances, gorgeously authentic cinematography and a winning story, the factbased feature the first grader moves to the head of the class despite poor marks in some fundamental. The story of an 84 yearold kenyan villager and ex mau mau terrorist who fights for his right to go to school for the first time to get the education he could never afford.