The conceit of the film (and a reminder that real life can be stranger than fiction) centres on an elderly, illiterate Kenyan man who turns up in a primary school because he’s going to hold the government’s promise of free education for all very literally. Thanks to a courageous and idealistic headmistress, the elderly man will triumph over all the obstacles put before him and an education that is his right.
Is there an angry and fearful mob? Jealous students? Obstructive civil servants? Corrupt politicians? Check, check, check, and check. Are there nuggets of wisdom about the power of education? Check and double check! All this makes for an inspirational, moving film fit to treat your teacher or a young, impressionable child to.
But before you start rolling your eyes at how contrived this feels and how obviously our protagonists will triumph over these trials with their high principles, the excellent script by Ann Peacock throws a few kinks in our direction. Since our hero Kimani N'gan'ga Maruge was a freedom fighter in his youth, working in the Mau Mau rebellion and British crimes against humanity is one thing. But what this film does unexpectedly well is to weave in its own critique of post-colonialism in Kenya, where those doing the discriminating are just as ‘black’ as the new oppressed.
Given how raw these historical wounds are, it’s a relief that the cinematography and storytelling is highly restrained and humanistic, its flashbacks to the Mau Mau rebellion recalling the eloquent yet sparse visual poetry of Satyajit Ray.
The First Grader is inspirational, based on real life, and designed to raise noble feelings in its viewers. It may be predictable but is so sincere and well-told that it cannot be considered manipulative.
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