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In a small, remote mountain top primary school in the Kenyan bush, 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 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.
Full of vitality and humour, the film explores the remarkable relationships Maruge builds with his classmates some eighty years his junior. Through Maruge's journey, we are taken back to the shocking untold story of British colonial rule 50 years earlier where Maruge fought for the freedom of his country, eventually ending up in the extreme and harsh conditions of the British detention camps.
Original Release
05/13/2011
US Release
05/13/2011
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Cast
Name | Character |
---|
Naomie Harris | Jane Obinchu |
Oliver Litondo | Kimani Ng'ang'a Maruge / Kimani N'gan'ga Maruge |
Tony Kgoroge | Charles Obinchu |
Alfred Munyua | Teacher Alfred |
Shoki Mokgapa | Teacher Elizabeth |
Vusi Kunene | Mr. Kipruto |
Agnes Simaloi | Agnes |
Kamau Mbaya | Kamau Chege |
Emily Njoki | Young Maruge's Wife |
Lwanda Jawar | Young Maruge |
Directors
Writers
Cast
Name | Character |
---|
Naomie Harris | Jane Obinchu |
Oliver Litondo | Kimani Ng'ang'a Maruge / Kimani N'gan'ga Maruge |
Tony Kgoroge | Charles Obinchu |
Alfred Munyua | Teacher Alfred |
Shoki Mokgapa | Teacher Elizabeth |
Vusi Kunene | Mr. Kipruto |
Agnes Simaloi | Agnes |
Kamau Mbaya | Kamau Chege |
Emily Njoki | Young Maruge's Wife |
Lwanda Jawar | Young Maruge |
Dan 'Churchill' Ndambuki | DJ Masha |
Hannah Wacera | Maruge's Daughter |
John Kimani | Maruge's Baby Son |
Macharia Kamau | DJ's PA |
Abubakar Mwenda | Boie |
Tom Gitau | Old Codger |
Watson Mbirua | Old Codger |
Shadrack Murimi Gachuhi | Old Codger |
Mwenga Matilika | Old Codger |
Kathyline Ndogori | Teacher Katherine |
Producers
Name | Role |
---|
Norman Merry | Executive Producer |
Joe Oppenheimer | Executive Producer |
Jim Shamoon | Executive Producer |
Anant Singh | Executive Producer |
Helena Spring | Executive Producer |
Sam Feuer | Producer |
Nicola Blacker | Producer |
Richard Harding | Producer |
Trevor Ingman | Producer |
Ed Rubin | Producer |
David M. Thompson | Producer |
Denise Tran | Producer |
Mario Zvan | Producer |