National Geographic Ent have made what could pan out to be an extremely smart pick-up in Justin Chadwick’s The First Grader — a sappy, button-pushing, tug at the heart, feel-good drama based on a true story that actually placed 2nd for the Toronto Int. Film Festival’s “People’s Choice Award”. No date has been mentioned, but I imagine NGE will select a strong release date for the film next year and after successful Telluride and TIFF public screenings, I imagine they’ll create more advance buzz with some select festival screenings prior to the selected release date.
Based on a true story, scripted by Ann Peacock, this tells the true story of Maruge (Oliver Musila Litondo), an old Mau Mau rebel in his eighties, who knocks on the door of a bush primary school, seeking the free education promised by the Kenyan government to everyone. Maruge fought for Kenya’s liberation and now feels he has earned the chance of the education he was denied for so long—even if it means sitting in a first-grade classroom with six-year-olds. The teacher Jane Obinchu (Naomie Harris) supports Maruge’s struggle, and together they face the opposition from parents and officials who think it’s a waste educating this old man. Through his fight to learn how to read, Maruge and his teacher embark on a journey for a better future for himself and his country.