After a successful regular season, the Vernon Film Society starts its summer season off with the crowd-pleaser The First Grader.
The film is based on the true story of Kimani Maruge, a Kenyan who became a symbol of his country’s new free education policy, entering grade school at the age of 84 because he wanted to learn to read. Little did the Kenyan government realize that their guarantee of a free education would entice an octogenarian to join the six year olds, setting a Guinness Book of World Records record in the process.
Initially, the teacher, Jane Obinchu, (played by Naomie Harris, last seen in Pirates of the Caribbean), is reluctant to admit Maruge to her classroom, but his persistence wins her over.
After being accused of spending too much of her own time on the old man, the teacher makes him her assistant, asking him to tell stories and teach the children to dance.
Flashbacks reveal that Maruge (played by Oliver Musila Litondo) was a Mau Mau freedom fighter in the 1950s. The Mau Mau, seen as terrorists by the British, were determined to end the British occupation of Kenya, but the uprising ended in civil war, as many Kenyans were fighting on the British side.
The film was shot on location in the Rift Valley in a real school with real students who were unaware that a film was being made of their class.
The lead actress was introduced as their new teacher Jane. She taught them for two weeks before an actual camera showed up. Even then, the children were under the impression the “shoot” was just a game.
The First Grader took the runner-up spot for audience favourite at last year’s Toronto International Film Festival, right behind The King’s Speech.
The movie will be shown at the Towne Theatre Monday at 5:45 p.m. and 8 p.m. (Please note the new times.) Tickets are available at the door and one week ahead at the theatre and the Bean Scene for $7.
The film is rated PG-13 for some disturbing violent content and brief nudity.
