Palm Beach Film Festival : Best Feature Film

Videovision Entertainment’s ‘First Grader’ Tops The Class at the Palm Beach Film Festival

The Videovision Entertainment co-production, The First Grader, won the Best Feature Film Award of the Palm Beach International Film Festival last night. The film, shot in Kenya, is directed by Justin Chadwick (The Other Boleyn Girl) stars Naomie Harris and Oliver Litondo, Vusi Kunene, Tony Kgoroge and David Chege, written by Emmy winner Ann Peacock, produced by David M. Thompson, Sam Feuer and Richard Harding and executive produced by Anant Singh, Helena Spring, Joe Oppeheimer and Norman Merry.

The First Grader has been a hit at prestigious international film festivals since its debut at the Telluride Film Festival last September and the Toronto Film Festival where it was the runner up for the Audience Prize and the Doha Film Festival where it won the coveted Audience Prize.

“We are thrilled that The First Grader won the Best Feature Film Award at the Palm Beach Film Festival,” said Executive Producer, Anant Singh. “This accolade is further recognition for the film and its uplifting true story which realistically portrays the determination and tenacity of the human spirit against all odds.”

Director, Justin Chadwick commented, “The First Grader tells of a human story of one man’s determination to receive an education. The film clearly sends the message that one is never too old to learn, and I am delighted  that the film has won the Best Feature Film Award at the Palm Beach Film Festival.”

The First Grader, based on a true story, is set in a remote primary school in the Kenyan bush where hundreds of children are jostling for a chance for the free education promised by the new Kenyan government. One new applicant causes astonishment when he knocks on the door of the school. He is Maruge, an old Mau Mau veteran in his eighties, who is desperate to learn to read at this late stage of his life. He fought for the liberation of his country and now feels he must have the chance of an education so long denied - even if it means sitting in a classroom alongside six-year-olds. Moved by his passionate plea, head teacher Jane Obinchu, supports his struggle to gain admission and together they face fierce opposition from parents and officials who don’t want to waste a precious school place on such an old man.

The First Grader has been acquired by the theatrical division of National Geographic Films for distribution in the United States where it will be released in May 2011 and will be released in South Africa later this year by Videovision Entertainment through United International Pictures (South Africa).

The First Grader is a BBC Films and UK Film Council production in association with Videovision Entertainment, Lipsync and ARTE France. It is a Sixth Sense / Origin Pictures production directed by Justin Chadwick and stars Naomie Harris, Oliver Litondo, Vusi Kunene, Tony Kgoroge and David Chege. It is written by Ann Peacock, produced by David M. Thompson, Sam Feuer and Richard Harding and executive produced by Anant Singh, Helena Spring, Joe Oppeheimer and Norman Merry.

The First Grader Wins Audience Prize In Doha

Doha Tribeca Film Festival

The First Grader which was the Closing Night film at the Second Doha Tribeca Film Festival last night where it captivated audiences, garnering the Audience Prize for Best Narrative Film. The Award was presented to director, Justin Chadwick and the team by actor, Robert De Niro. Also in attendance were the leads, Kenyan star, Oliver Litondo and Naomie Harris; Producer, David M. Thompson and Executive Producer, Anant Singh.

The First Grader has consistently been a hit with audiences since its screening at the Telluride, Toronto and London Film Festivals in September and was the Audience Prize runner-up at the Toronto Film Festival.

Commenting on the win, Anant Singh said, “We are delighted that The First Grader thrilled to have won the Audience Prize in Doha. This accolade is further recognition for The First Grader which has touched audiences at Telluride and Toronto. The film is a heart-warming, inspirational film and we are confident that it will achieve many more awards.”

The film has been acquired by the theatrical division of National Geographic for distribution in the United States.

The First Grader, based on a true story, is set in a remote primary school in the Kenyan bush where hundreds of children are jostling for a chance for the free education promised by the new Kenyan government. One new applicant causes astonishment when he knocks on the door of the school. He is Maruge, an old Mau Mau veteran in his eighties, who is desperate to learn to read at this late stage of his life. He fought for the liberation of his country and now feels he must have the chance of an education so long denied - even if it means sitting in a classroom alongside six-year-olds. Moved by his passionate plea, head teacher Jane Obinchu, supports his struggle to gain admission and together they face fierce opposition from parents and officials who don’t want to waste a precious school place on such an old man.

The First Grader is a BBC Films and UK Film Council production in association with Videovision Entertainment, Lipsync and ARTE France. It is a Sixth Sense / Origin Pictures production directed by Justin Chadwick and stars Naomie Harris, Oliver Litondo, Vusi Kunene, Tony Kgoroge and David Chege. It is written by Ann Peacock, produced by David M. Thompson, Sam Feuer and Richard Harding and executive produced by Anant Singh, Helena Spring, Joe Oppeheimer and Norman Merry.

London Film Festival 2010 Round-Up

The First Grader

Philip Concannon - Phil on Film

This is conventional, tick-the-boxes filmmaking and you can predict its narrative arc from frame one, but The First Grader is a solid crowd-pleaser nonetheless. It’s based on the true story of Kimani N’gan’ga Maruge (Oliver Litondo), an 84 year-old who turned up at a local school one day when the new Kenyan government announced free education for all. Undeterred by the teachers’ insistence that the offer is aimed only at children, Maruge stubbornly turns up at the school gates every day, dressed in uniform and clutching his pad and pencil, until sympathetic teacher Jane Obinchu (Naomie Harris) final relents and allows him to join her class. What follows is a fairly standard tale of inspirational uplift and the desire for education, but director Justin Chadwick also includes some surprisingly dark and violent scenes from Maruge’s freedom fighter past, which are jarring against the generally upbeat images of happy African kids running around in slow motion. The First Grader certainly looks smart thanks to Rob Hardy’s strong cinematography, but the film is really grounded by its two leads. Naomie Harris gives a sensitive and appealing performance, while Oliver Litondo brings a rheumy-eyed dignity to the role of this unlikely hero.

Maruge goes to London

Topi-Talk

The spirit of Maruge, the 84 year old first grader, was brought to London on a chilly autumn evening, when star actor Oliver Litondo and lead actress Naomie Harris stepped on to the red carpet at the Odeon in Leicester Square.

Away from the glamour however there were some fundamental issues raised by the stars. The First Grader may well be a landmark in Kenya’s Film Industry, but the lack of creativity and understanding of the power of film by those in position, has put paid to a great opportunity to market the country’s ideals.

Speaking on the London experience, this apathy was further pronounced, when the South African Embassy hosted the film’s stars and production team at the South Africa House, before the premier on Tuesday, coupled by the resounding absence of the Kenya High Commission staff at any of the functions.

Asked if the film will spur the Government into investing in similar ventures, Mr Litondo, a Harvard alumni, in Theatre Arts, sadly noted the lack of appreciation so far, but enthused that with the new constitution in place, it will only be a matter of time before the whole industry is revolutionised, “I believe with young people coming up, they will be able to open the archives that have been hitherto out of bounds, so we can fetch our own stories and make films about our own people.”

Mr. Litondo said fans back in Nairobi had also wondered why a film shot in Kenya and whose main actor and supporting actors were Kenyan, could be celebrated by the South Africans while the Kenya High Commission had nothing planned.

The co-star Naomie Harris was the ultimate ‘Lady’, so elegant and well spoken with surprising humility; the British born actress lauded the welcoming nature of the Kenyan people which she found inspiring, “Working with the children was amazing; you could feel that wonderful sense of community sipping through. And their appreciation for the Now and living for the Now!” She revealed that despite the long hours put in the children never for once complained.

Naomie Harris played Mwalimu Jane to the T. She was astounding.

Naomie is looking forward to returning to Kenya during the film launch there, “We plan to go and show the film at the school on widescreen for the children and the community.” She said, the film had a universal message about the need for free Education for all people regardless of age and gender, “We live in a really ageist society, which thinks once you are over 35, then your life is over, but the First Grader has a different message; that regardless of your age you can turn your life around and realise your dreams.”

In the film, Naomie was sensational, you cannot believe she is British and dons a posh accent, in fact you would think (except for some little traces of southern Africa accent) that she was picked from a village in Bungoma or Busia!

Also braving the chill among the usual crowd that just loves premiers was celebrity guest, former Eastenders actress Michelle Ryan, who said she loved going to premiers and may one day go into film acting.

The few Kenyans that managed to watch the premier were just over the moon; Salphares noted; “Halafu set yenyewe iko home huko ngong hills, imenibamba mbaya sana!” (The setting was in my home-town Ngong Hills, which really excited me, can’t get over it. Mashaa Thiongo was grateful for the opportunity; “I could not have missed it for anything, great showing by Kenyans, we need more.”

The exclusive Oliver Litondo interview will soon appear on video. If you want to share in his dreams and baspirations… Just watch this space.

The First Grader team left London on Tuesday evening for Dohar where they attend a premier of the movie this week before proceeding to Hong Kong China. They are expected in the US in April next year.

The shows in London were part of the British Film Institute – BFI – film week that ran from 13-28^th October. The First Grader was given extended viewing till the 28^th October 10…So if u can get the ticket. Just log on to the BFI website and book online.

The First Grader Premiers at London Film Festival

London Film Festival 2010

Press Association - Mirror Video - People.co.uk

The First Grader was inspired by the true story about a Kenyan man who goes back to primary school at the age of 84 to get the education he always wanted.

Click here to watch the London Film Festival premier on YouTube…