"FIRST GRADER" CAPTURES NORTH AMERICA

The First Grader, co-produced by Videovision Entertainment, premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and at the prestigious Telluride Film Festival recently. Shot in Kenya, the film has captured the hearts of critics and audiences. The film is directed by Justin Chadwick (The Other Boleyn Girl) and stars Naomie Harris and Oliver Litondo, Vusi Kunene, Tony Kgoroge and David Chege, written by South African born Emmy winner Ann Peacock, produced by David M Thompson, Sam Feuer and Richard Harding and executive produced by Anant Singh, Helena Spring, Joe Oppenheimer and Norman Merry.

Based on a true story, The First Grader is set in a remote primary school in the Kenyan bush where hundreds of children are jostling for a chance for the free education newly promised by the 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 80’s, 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 heavyweight industry journals, Variety and The Hollywood Reporter have lauded The First Grader with Variety reporting that the film had an 'enthusiastic, wet-eyed reception' at Telluride and that it was "an effective, emotional uplift". The Hollywood Reporter said the film was "one of the biggest crowd-pleasers at the Telluride Film Festival and that audiences will "embrace the film" and was a "perfect balance between humour and tragic gravity....certain to stir the hearts of audiences worldwide." Toronto's respected Globe and Mail newspaper predicted that The First Grader is a possible Oscar contender.

A Sixth Sense / Origin Pictures production, The First Grader is a BBC Films and UK Film Council production in association with Videovision Entertainment, Lipsync and ARTE France. It will be released at cinemas in South Africa early next year through United International Pictures.