Country of origin: Kenya
Genre: Drama
About the film
The Kenyan government has announced free primary education for all and parents are pushing for a chance to get their children enrolled in these schools. In a quiet, distant village lays a mountain top primary school and the villagers are running around with their children to be admitted in the school. However, one applicant leaves the whole school in awe when he tries to seek admission into the school. He is Mr. Maruge (Oliver Litondo), an 84 year old Mau Mau veteran desperate to learn how to read and write despite his old age. Mr. Maruge was a freedom fighter who fought against the British Colonialists in the past, but did not get a chance to gain education. He is determined to achieve his dream of learning how to read and write, and he doesn’t care whether he will share a classroom with six year old children. The head teacher; Jane Obinchu (Naomie Harris) after listening to his passionate story is greatly moved and takes it upon herself to ensure Maruge gets admitted into the school. The two, however, face great opposition from parents and teachers who are against the admission of the old man into their school.
Impact of acting on the story and on the viewer
The impact of acting greatly affects the story line of the film straight from the beginning till the end. The actors play their parts well making the story easily understandable to the viewer. One can follow the story from beginning to end without easily getting lost from the main story.
Themes, stereotypes and what we learn about the British Empire, people and county
The film gives us a different angle on the impacts of the British Colonization in the county. Through this film, we are able to learn about what freedom fighters went through during the armed struggle for freedom. We learn so much about the Kenyan culture of corruption and selfishness.
