The First Grader
2010 · Movie · PG-13 · 103 min · ★ 7.1 · 59% critics
An elderly Kenyan villager and former freedom fighter decides to start primary school when free education is announced, determined to learn what he was denied. His choice sparks resistance from officials and neighbors, while a supportive teacher helps him push through hardship, painful memories, and a system that doubts he belongs in the classroom.
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Details
- Years
- 2010
- Release date
- 2010-09-12
- Language
- English
- Rated
- PG-13
- Runtime
- 103 min
- Critic score
- 59/100
- TMDB rating
- 7.1/10 (100 votes)
About
If you enjoy uplifting true stories about perseverance and social change like Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, this should land well; Not for you if you want a light, kid-friendly watch or dislike intense, graphic flashbacks.
Pros: inspiring true story; strong lead performances; vivid Kenyan setting | Cons: simplistic good-vs-bad; slow pacing at times; graphic torture scenes
Themes
- uniform
- village
- education
- based on true story
- teacher
- kenya
- school
Cast & crew
Naomie Harris
as Jane Obinchu
Tony Kgoroge
as Charles Obinchu
- NR
Nick Reding
as Officer Johnson
- OL
Oliver Litondo
as Kimani N'gan'ga Maruge
- AM
Alfred Munyua
- KM
Kamau Mbaya
as Kamau Chege
Directed by Justin Chadwick