The First GraderAn Interview with Naomie Harris
By Wilson Morales
May 15, 2011
Currently playing in limited theaters around the country is ‘The First Grader,’ which is the true story of an 84 year-old Kenyan villager and ex Mau Mau freedom fighter named Maruge, who fights for his right to go to school for the first time to get the education he could never afford.
Directed by Justin Chadwick, the film stars Naomie Harris, Oliver Litondo, and Tony Kgoroge.
For Harris, who’s best known for her starring role as Selena in ‘28 Days Later’ and her supporting turn as Tia Dalma in the second and third ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ films, playing the role the teacher Jane Obinchu who befriends Maruge against the politics and community not looking to support his request, gave her a new perspective of life after filming in Kenya.
While speaking to Blackfilm.com, the British native, who recently played Elizabeth Lavenza in Danny Boyle‘s production of Nick Dear‘s adaptation of ‘Frankenstein‘ for the National Theatre, talked about her role in ‘The First Grader’ and her experience filming in Kenya.
What was the attraction to taking on this film?
Naomie Harris: There are so many attractions. I love the fact that it was showing Africa in a positive light. So much of what we see that comes out of Africa or about Africa is genocide and poverty. These are not inspirational messages. I love that this was really such a positive story and presents a great message about education, and respecting what the old have to offer, and that one can change their life at any age. It offered so many messages and it really resonated with me. Also, the character of Jane is really fascination. She has this incredible sense about her and is willing to risk everything in order to insure that Maruge gets his education. She also has this incredible compassion as well. She’s a brilliant teacher and just getting those two sides of her was a huge challenge for me and it really excited me.
Are there any traits of Jane that you see in yourself?
NH: Her background and her ability to stand up for what she believes in. One of the things that I respect myself is my strength. I’m very determined and I do have a lot of compassion.
How was filming in Kenya?
NH: Filming in Kenya was absolutely fantastic! It was such a brilliant experience. The people there were just so warm and incredibly generous and open towards us. It was humbling actually. People with nothing would be so generous and welcome us into their homes and offer us food and these are people who don’t have very much at all. I hadn’t experienced that before.
How was working with Oliver Litondo and Tony Kgoroge?
NH: Oliver was wonderful. He’s never played a lead in a movie before. He was very gracious and humble and fantastic to work with; and Tony I absolutely love. He’s a brilliant actor as really a great human being and I loved working with them both.
How were you affected after production was completed?
NH: I thought that prior to filming this movie I would go to Kenya and see the poverty there and be upset by it and be ashamed that we are such privileged in the west and they have so little and I would feel some guilt. In fact, what I came away with was a real sense that they have so much more in a way than we have. They have a sense of community, and a much greater sense of family. They are much more appreciative of what they have in front of them. The joy for them comes from being in the moment. I walked away envying them because they have more to teach us about how to live.
How was working so many kids on the set?
NH: Well, that was the greatest challenge actually and the greatest reward. I was actually introduced to the kids as their teacher. They didn’t think that I was an actress at all. In the beginning they weren’t opening up. They would just sit there watching me. It took about two weeks of working with them before they felt comfortable and opening up with me. That was the most rewarding part of the film.
What are working on next?
NH: I just doing the play ‘Frankenstein,’ which was directed by Danny Boyle and co-starred Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller, and for the moment I’m promoting this film.
How was working with Danny again?
NH: It was great working with Danny again. I credit Danny for having started my career. I did ’28 Days Later’ with him and ten years later, he takes another chance with me with the play. I had never done that before. I’m very grateful to him.
Why should anyone see ‘The First Grader?’
NH: It’s an incredibly uplifting, and heartwarming story. It’s funny as well as having a great message and anyone seeing it will have a satisfying experience when they leave the theater.
