The First Grader (Justin Chadwick, 2011): UK

Reveiwed By: Demi Mellett. Viewed at the: Santa Barbara Film Festival 2011

The First Grader is an inspiring and heart-warming movie. From the screenwriter of “The Chronicles of Narnia”, Ann Peacock brings to life, together with Director Justin Chadwick, “The First Grader”. This is a triumphant true story of one man’s determination to learn to read.

The movie was set in the countryside of Kenya where Kimani N’gan’ga Maruge aka Maruge, played by Oliver Litondo, is an 84 year old x-freedom fighter who fought for Kenyan rights when the British occupied Kenya several decades earlier. The focus of this story is Maruge’s struggles to get into school to learn to read.

The government recently announced to the public that there is free education for “everyone”. Thus the movie begins with children and parents all hustling from every direction toward the local village school to enroll their children. The director does a wonderful job taking you on Maruge’s trek to school while he limps along with his cane. However, when Maruge arrives at the school, he is turned away by the principal, Jane Obinchu who is played by Naomie Harris. The teachers tell him to leave and that he is too old to come to a primary school. They come up with every excuse possible but Maruge comes back everyday having gotten around the excuse. For example, Mrs. Obinchu (Naomie Harris), tells Maruge he needs the school uniform and books. The next day, Maruge comes to school holding books and wearing a children’s uniform. The uniform consists of shorts, knee high socks, and a v-neck sweater, just like the younger children. Eventually Mrs. Obinchu lets Maruge into her first grade classroom. Once Maruge is let into the primary school there is uproar from other parents, teachers, and even some unhappy students. Eventually it gets so chaotic that Maruge is told to go to the adult school, but he learns nothing there and comes back to the primary school.

Once inside the classroom, we see how the children of less fortunate countries are educated, crammed into a small shed, with dirt floors and a lack of desks for each student. The Director, Justin Chadwick does a great job of encompassing the classroom, Maruge’s hut, and the vast land where the Kenyans live. But what is more appeasing to the eye is the captured memories of Maruge’s young beautiful wife and daughter in the fields of grass.

I was most impressed with Chadwick’s ability to film in such confined spaces such as Maruge’s hut as well as portions of scenes from Maruge’s past when he was tortured as a prisoner. But equally impressive is the film editing and acting. All in all, this movie is a one-of-a-kind and I was utterly impressed with every facet of this movie.

I would not neccesarily compare this to another film I have seen because it is a one-of-a-kind movie. Although, Maruge’s dertermination and perseverence remind me of past people and leaders that many of us look up to today. Overall, this story shows how accomplishing your goals, or atleast trying, is the best someone can do to improve their lifestyle.