Rafiki

Refugee Weekend

In Nairobi Kena (Mugatsia) is helping her father campaign in a local election when she meets and befriends Ziki (Munyiva), the daughter of his rival. Based on a a short story Rafiki (‘friend’ in Swahili) is a tender love story depicting the romance between two young women amid familial, societal and political pressures. Banned in Kenya for positively portraying homosexuality – illegal in the country – the director Kahiu sued the government and the ban was lifted but only for 7 days. The film then became the first Kenyan film ever selected to screen at Cannes. Groundbreaking!

93% – Rotten Tomatoes

“But to merely describe what happens in “Rafiki” would be to overlook its transporting sense of place, its striking visual pleasures and its credible and moving performances.”

“The fact that this movie exists at all is a miracle, and it deserves to be seen as widely as possible, because stories like this require the support of audiences everywhere.”

Review: Groundbreaking lesbian romance aims to change Kenyan hearts and minds – The Guardian

Review: Romeo and Juliet are reborn in Kenya in the vibrant lesbian romance Rafiki – The AV Club