“At home, where homosexuality remains a criminal offense, RAFIKI
has been slapped with a ban for its positive representation – a state of affairs that makes this lively, brightly performed film impossible not to celebrate….”
— Guy Lodge, Variety
“[A] vibrant, pulsing piece of work, keying off the joy of young love
and unexpected discovery.”
— Jason Bailey, Flavorwire
“[W]ith RAFIKI, the director has produced a wholly new vision of
African filmmaking that is vibrant, compassionate, and joyous.”
— Sarah-Tai Black, Cinema Scope
“A burst of unfiltered teenage energy. Lively and full of vision! [Kahiu]
has a wonderful eye for detail and lyricism.”
— Emily Yoshida, Vulture
“A dynamic, smoothly-executed tale of impossible love that brings fresh energy to a subject that may seem overly familiar to western eyes…
Reminiscent of the early work of Spike Lee.”
— Allan Hunter, Screen Daily
SYNOPSIS
Bursting with the colorful street style and music of Nairobi’s vibrant youth culture, RAFIKI is a tender love story between two young women in a country that still criminalizes homosexuality. Kena and Ziki have long been told that “good Kenyan girls become good Kenyan wives” – but they yearn for something more. Despite the political rivalry between their families, the girls encourage each other to pursue their dreams in a conservative society. When love blossoms between them, Kena and Ziki must choose between happiness and safety.
Initially banned in Kenya for its positive portrayal of queer romance, RAFIKI won a landmark supreme court case chipping away at Kenyan anti-LGBT legislation. Featuring remarkable performances by newcomers Samantha Mugatsia and Sheila Munyiva, RAFIKI, an official selection at Cannes and Toronto, is a hip tale of first love “reminiscent of the early work of Spike Lee” (Screen Daily) that’s “impossible not to celebrate” (Variety)!
RAFIKI (2018)
Directed by: Wanuri Kahiu
Written by: Wanuri Kahiu and Jenna Cato Bass
Cast: Samantha Mugatsia, Sheila Munyiva, Patricia Amira, Dennis Musyoka
Produced by: Steven Markovitz
Co-Producers: Marie-Pierre Macia & Claire Gadéa, Georges Schoucair
Ruben Thorkildsen & Verona Meier, Reinier Selen, Gerhard Meixner &
Roman Paul, Wanuri Kahiu, Tamsin Ranger
Cinematography by: Christopher Wessels
RT: 83 minutes
Genre: Drama
Language: English, Swahili (with English Subtitles)
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