The fine print exists for a reason: When the Kenyan government announced free primary education for all, one rural farmer took the proclamation at its word and showed up to learn alongside 6-year-olds. Based on a true story, The First Grader‘s first grader in question is 84-year-old Kimani N’gan’ga Marugein. He’s played as an old man by Oliver Litondo, solemnly expressive but also something of a sneaky delight in his school uniform shorts and knee-socks, and in flashback as a young man by Lwander Jawar, a forceful presence, even without much dialogue to work with.
The flashback is significant in that Maruge’s past —
This article appears in Jun 1-7, 2011.