Movies

‘Other Boleyn’ Director Takes ‘First Grader’ Back to School

By  · Published on November 29th, 2009

I get the feeling that Africa is going to be a go-to for stories in the coming decade. It’s already in the public mindset of news and current events, and films like Hotel Rwanda and the upcoming Invictus (I’m not really counting District 9…) have already taken audiences to the continent. I’m guessing it won’t be long until we see a film version of “Things Fall Apart.”

The next in line is apparently Justin Chadwick, the director of The Other Boleyn Girl, who will be telling the story of an elderly man in Kenya who takes the government’s pledge to free education seriously by signing up for it. Starting in the first grade.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, The First Grader, is based off a true story (since that matters), and is being penned by Chronicles of Narnia writer Ann Peacock. Apparently, Naomie Harris (who couldn’t act her way out of a paper bag in Ninja Assassin) is set to star.

I’m asking who put her in the bag in the first place, just like you are.

This sounds a lot like a more serious version of Billy Madison mixed with just a hint of Jack. You know, plus Hotel Rwanda.

And it’s shooting as we speak.

What do you think?

Movie stuff at VanityFair, Thrillist, IndieWire, Film School Rejects, and The Broken Projector Podcast@brokenprojector | Writing short stories at Adventitious.