FINALLY THE FIRST GRADER COMES HOME!

Celebrated Kenyan film, The First Grader, will be screened in Kenya after making rounds in various international film festivals. The movie about Mzee Maruge, the Kenyan octogenarian who enrolled in primary school in 2003 at the age of 84, will be the festival opener during the ten-day Kenya International Film Festival (KIFF) that will run from October, 21 this year.



The award winning film was selected by the Kenya International Film Festivals (KIFF) Trust as the festival opener because of its relevance and stature among so called “Kenyan films” that have been produced this year. The Festival organisers are currently reviewing over 450 films that have been received in preparation for the annual festivals that will have simultaneous screenings in Nairobi, Nakuru, Mombasa, Eldoret and Kisumu.
The Kenyan based film which was produced by Richard Harding of Sixth Sense Productions has already received ten awards from film festivals worldwide. The film which is based on the true story of Mzee Maruge who started school at the age of 84 features Kenyan actor Oliver Litondo starring as Maruge, also in the cast is award winning actress Naomi Harris as Maruge’s teacher, Vusi Kunene and Tony Kgoroge.



The film is based on the true story of Mzee Maruge, depicts him as an 86 year old man with a desire to read a letter from the Office of the President that had been addressed to him and he wanted to understand the contents of the letter, he is however unable to read as he has never been to school. He then enrolls to begin school upon the government’s directive to offer free primary education.



Charles Asiba the festival director said: “The film is very much in tune with our theme on leadership as it explores the opportunities that came in with a change in governance in Kenya that ushered in a new government that offered free primary education for all”.
This year’s film festivals whose themed is ‘Leadership; the Next Generation’ has surpassed its target of having 365 film. Forty five of the 450 films received by KIFF are Kenyan. The categories with highest entries were 106 short stories and 87 documentaries.
The country which sent in the most films was Kenya with 48 film entries, followed by Germany with 37 films and Poland with 32 films.



Other films that were received were 22 films in the Student films category, 21 Experimental films, 44 animation and 45 feature films.
Asiba said : “From the few films that we have so far classified and had a quick look through, shows that the quality of entries this year have improved. We are very impressed by the level of creativity, style and approach displayed by film makers this year” remarked Asiba.
KIFF jury is currently reviewing the films and will announce and award the winners of each category during the festivals. The categories that will be awarded include Best Short film, Best Student film, Best documentary, Best Actress, Best Actor, Best Director, Best East African Film, Best Feature Film as well as Special Jury prize.

FIRST GRADER WINS AUDIENCE AWARD AT DURBAN FILM FESTIVAL

The late Kimani Maruge

The movie about Kenya’s oldest primary school student the late Kimani Maruge was awarded with the Audience Award at the just concluded 32nd Durban International Film Festival.

Oliver Litondo plays Mzee Kimani Maruge

The biographical film about the 84–year-old student dubbed the First Grader is 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 ends up joining a class alongside six year-olds. Together he and his young teacher face fierce resistance, but ultimately they win through - and also find a new way of overcoming the burdens of the colonial past.

Oliver Litondo and Naomie Harris

British actress Naomie Harris (Pirates of the Caribbean) plays Jane Obinchu, Maruge’s teacher who got in trouble for allowing him to sit in class with the 6-year-old students.

South African actor Vusi Kunene and Oliver Litondo

Kenyan journalist and an actor Oliver Litondo, 62, plays Maruge, an octogenarian who did not let age stop him from taking advantage of the Free Primary School initiative to get the education he always wanted.
The is organised by the Centre For Creative Arts (University of KwaZulu-Natal) with support by the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund (principal funder), National Film and Video Foundation, KZN Department of Economic Development and Tourism, HIVOS, City of Durban, German Embassy of South Africa, Goethe Institute of SA, Industrial Development Corporation, KZN Department of Arts and Culture, and a range of other partners.

KENYAN ACTORS STAR IN NEW BBC MOVIE WITH HOLLYWOOD STARS

A BBC Films was shot on location in Kenya two weekends ago and it predominately features the crème of Kenyan actors.
The movie, The First Grader follows the life of the late 84-year-old Kimani Nganga Maruge who attempted to take advantage of a government initiative to give free elementary school education for all. Initially denied access to go the school with his fellow first graders, Maruge eventually took the government on in court.
The heart-warming drama was shot on location at Matasya and our source says, “Initially Maruge’s role was to be played by Morgan Freeman, but due to logistics he was replaced by Oliver Litondo. And that’s not it, RnB crooner Neyo will also make an appearance, but that is yet to be confirmed.”

Pirates of the Caribbean, Dead Man’s Chest and Tomb Raider actress Naomie Harris is cast as Jane Obinchu she will act alongside Kenyan casts members like John Sibi-Okumu who plays the Chairman on board, Melvin Alusa plays Mr Njeri's Aide, poet and reality show contestant Cindy Ogana cast as the Rasta girl and Makutano Junction’s Ainea Ojiambo who plays the Educational Officer.


Another surprise actor, comedian Churchill plays the role of Masha, a matatu tout and DJ who has a string of relationships with some of the teachers in a local school. Speaking to Word is Churchill said, “The movie is basically trying to portray what happens in this country. I like the story line. It’s international. This movie is going to change cinematography in this country. I decided to take the role because in this industry, you need to build a healthy resume. I have to venture into these things and I’m seeing myself doing more movies in future.”