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Rafiki (film)

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Rafiki
Theatrical release poster
Directed byWanuri Kahiu
Written by
  • Wanuri Kahiu
  • Jenna Cato Bass
Produced bySteven Markovitz
Starring
CinematographyChristopher Wessels
Edited byIsabelle Dedieu
Release dates
  • 9 May 2018 (2018-05-09) (Cannes)
  • 23 September 2018 (2018-09-23) (Kenya)
Running time
82 minutes
CountryKenya
Languages
  • English
  • Swahili
Box office$176,513[1]

Rafiki (Swahili for 'friend') is a 2018 Kenyan drama film directed by Wanuri Kahiu.[2] Rafiki is the story of romance that grows between two young women, Kena and Ziki, amidst family and political pressures around LGBT rights in Kenya. The film had its international premiere in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival;[3][4] it was the first Kenyan film to be screened at the festival.[5]

Plot

[edit]

Kena helps her father John Mwaura run a small convenience store in Nairobi as he campaigns for a local election. Kena lives with her mother, who isn't really on speaking terms with John. Kena starts flirting with Ziki, a neighbourhood girl with colourful hair, who also happens to be the daughter of Peter Okemi, John's political rival. Kena and Ziki have a number of romantic dates, and quickly become very close, but there are tensions about displaying their affection in public because homosexuality is illegal in Kenya.[6][7]

Ziki's friends get jealous that she is spending so much time with Kena, and when they attack Kena, Ziki defends her. Ziki takes Kena home to dress her wounds, but Ziki's mom catches them kissing. They run away together to hide, but are found by the town gossip, who brings an angry mob to attack the two girls. They are both arrested, and have to be picked up by their fathers. Ziki can no longer bear to see Kena, and her parents send her to live in London. John refuses to let Kena take the blame for what happened, even though it means forfeiting his chance at winning the election.[6][7]

A few years later, Kena has fulfilled her dream to become a doctor and gets word that Ziki has returned to town. The film ends just as they are reunited: after all these years their love has not died.[6][7]

Cast

[edit]

Production

[edit]

The film is inspired by Ugandan Monica Arac de Nyeko's 2007 Caine Prize-winning short story "Jambula Tree".[8] The film's title "Rafiki" (meaning "friend" in Swahili) was chosen, because due to homophobia in society, partners in a same-sex relationship often need to introduce their partner as a "friend", even if they are more than a friend.[9]

It took several years to find funding to produce the film. The filmmakers initially tried to get funding in Kenya, but that was not possible, so they found co-production partners in Europe as well as financing from Lebanon and the United States.[9] It was produced by Big World Cinema, a South African company.[10]

Colours played an important role in the cinematography and art direction of the film. The filmmakers wanted to show that Nairobi is a very colourful city, which is why there is a lot of colour in the film. Scenes of intimacy between Kena and Ziki are shown in more tender pastel colours rather than the strong colour contrasts of the other scenes.[9][11]

The film soundtracks featured several African artists such as Muthoni Drummer Queen, Chemutai Sage, Blinky Bill, Jaaz Odongo, Trina Mungai, Mumbi and Njoki Karu.[8] The playlist was curated by Patricia Kihoro, who disclosed this during an interview.

It was Samantha Mugatsia's first film as an actress.[12] Kahiu discovered her at a friend's party and asked her to audition for the role, as she had some of the characteristics of the character Kena. Sheila Munyiva had acted in films before.[5]

Through the film, Wanuri expressed that African art needs to showcase hope and joy rather than hardship, terror and wars. She terms this as Afrobubblegum, and she is a strong advocate for the cultural movement.[13][14] She also named her own Production Company as Afrobubblegum.[15][16]

Reception

[edit]

On Metacritic the film has a score of 68 out of 100 based on reviews from 17 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[17]

The film made its Dutch premiere at the International Film Festival Rotterdam in 2019, during its 48th edition.[18] It also got screened at the Dublin International Film Festival in the same year.[19]

Ban in Kenya

[edit]

Rafiki was banned by the Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) "due to its homosexual theme and clear intent to promote lesbianism in Kenya contrary to the law".[20][21] The Board asked the film director to change the ending, as it was too hopeful and positive. Kahiu refused, which led to the ban of the film.[9] The KFCB warned that anyone found in possession of the film would be in breach of the law in Kenya, where gay sex is punishable by 14 years in jail. The ban raised international outrage by the supporters of LGBT rights.[22][23]

The film's director, Wanuri Kahiu, sued Kenya's government, to allow the film to be screened and become eligible to be submitted as Kenya's entry for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film at the 91st Academy Awards.[24][25] She also sued for projected losses that would arise from the ban.[26] On 21 September 2018, the Kenyan High Court judge, Wilfrida Okwany, temporarily lifted the ban on the film, allowing it to be screened in the country for seven days and meeting the minimum eligibility requirement.[27][28][29][30] Once the ban was lifted, the film played to sold-out crowds at a cinema in Nairobi.[31][32] It raked in millions of shillings during this period.[33] Despite the concession, it was not selected as Kenya's submission in the Foreign Language Film category, with Supa Modo being sent instead.[34][35][31]

Awards

[edit]

Mugatsia won the Best Actress award at the 2019 FESPACO in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso for her portrayal of Kena.[36]

The film won the Best Narrative feature at the Seattle Queer Fim Festival in 2019. It also won the Silver Hugo award at the Chicago International Film Festival.[37]

A comprehensive list of the Awards and Nominations Rafiki film has received over the past years is as follows:

NOMINATIONS AND AWARDS
Year Festival Category Result Reference
2018 Amerian Film Institute (AFI) Festival Audience Award:

New Auteurs

Nominee [38][39]
2018 Bratislava International Film Festival Viewers' Choice Award Winner
2018 Cannes Film Festival Queer Palm Nominee [40][41][42]
Un Certain Regard Nominee
2018 Carthage Fim Festival Tanit d'Or:

Narrative Feature Film

Nominee [41]
Best Actress in a Leading Role: Samantha Mugatsia Winner
Best Music: Narrative Feature Film Winner
2018 Chicago International Film Festival Silver Q- Hugo Winner [43][37]
Gold Q- Hugo Nominee
2018 Durban International Film Festival Best Film: International Competition Nominee [citation needed]
2018 LesGaiCineMad, Madrid International LGBT Film Festival Jury Prize:

Best Acting- Samantha Mugatsia

Winner [44]
Audience Award:

Best Feature Film

Winner
2018 LUCAS - International Festival of Films for Children and Young Youngsters Award:

Section 16+

Winner [45][44]
Bridging The Borders Award Winner
2018 Merlinka Festival Jury Prize:

Best Feature Film

Nominee
2018 NewFest: New York's LGBT Film Festival Audience Award:

Narrative Feature

Winner [44]
2018 Oslo Films from the South Festival Audience Award Nominee
New Voices Award Nominee
2018 São Paulo International Film Festival New Directors Competion:

Best Film

Nominee
2018 Seattle Queer Film Festival Audience Award:

Favorite Narrative Feature

Winner [37][44]
Jury Award:

Best Feature Film

Winner
2018 Sydney Film Festival Audience Award:

Best Narrative Feature

Third Place
2018 Valladolid International Film Festival Meeting Point:

Best Feature Film

Nominee
2019 Black Reel Awards Outstanding World Cinema Motion Picture Nominee [46]
2019 Dublin International Film Festival Young Programmers Choice Award Winner [47][48][49]
2019 Pan African Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou Best Actress- Samantha Mugatsia Winner [50][51][52][36]
2019 Göteborg Film Festival Dragon Award:

International Competition

Nominee [53][54]
2019 Kingston Reelout Film Festival Kim Renders Outstanding Performance Award:

Outstanding Supporting Performance- Muthoni Gathecha

Nominee [55]
Kim Renders Outstanding Performance Award:

Outstanding Lead Performance- Neville Misati

Nominee
Kim Renders Outstanding Performance Award:

Outstanding Lead Performance- Samantha Mugatsia

Winner
2019 Milan International Lesbian and Gay Film Festival Grand Jury Award:

Best Film

Winner
Special Jury Award:

Best Feature Film- Cultweek

Winner
2019 Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival Audience Choice Award:

Images Of Africa- Fiction

Winner [56][57]
2019 The Queerties Queerty Indie Movie Nominee [58]
2019 African Movie Academy Awards Best Actress In a Leading Role- Sheila Munyiva Nominee [59][60]
Best Actress In a Leading Role- Samantha Mugatsia Nominee
Ousmane Sembene Award:

Best Film In an African Language

Winner
Best Editing- Isabelle Dedieu Winner
Best Film- Steven Markovitz Nominee
Best Director- Wanuri Kahiu Nominee
Best Screenplay- Wanuri Kahiu, Jenna Cato Bass Nominee
Best Cinematography- Christopher Wessels Nominee
Best Costume Design- Wambui Thimba Nominee
Best Production Design- Arya Lalloo Nominee
2020 Chlotrudis Awards Best Adapted Screenplay Nominee [61][62]
2020 GLAAD Media Awards Outstanding Film:

Limited Release

Winner [63][41]
2024 Vancouver International Film Festival Official Selection [64][65]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Rafiki (2018) - Financial Information". The Numbers. Archived from the original on 3 February 2024. Retrieved 20 October 2019.
  2. ^ "Rafiki". Cannes. Archived from the original on 4 November 2023. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
  3. ^ "The 2018 Official Selection". Cannes. 12 April 2018. Archived from the original on 24 September 2023. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  4. ^ "Cannes Lineup Includes New Films From Spike Lee, Jean-Luc Godard". Variety. 12 April 2018. Archived from the original on 26 May 2023. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  5. ^ a b Khaldi, Tarik (9 May 2018). "Rafiki as seen by Wanuri Kahiu". Festival de Cannes 2019. Archived from the original on 12 February 2024. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
  6. ^ a b c Mumford, Gwilym (9 May 2018). "Rafiki review – groundbreaking lesbian romance aims to change Kenyan hearts and minds". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  7. ^ a b c "'Rafiki' Is An Afro Bubble Gum Film About 2 Women Falling In Love Where It's Illegal". www.wbur.org. 10 May 2019. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  8. ^ a b Nangsel (10 February 2020). "Film Review: Rafiki – To Love Or Not No To Love, When Love Is Illegal". Feminism in India. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  9. ^ a b c d Bacon, Redmond (24 May 2018). ""We Truly Love Our Country" — An Interview with 'Rafiki' Director Wanuri Kahiu". much ado about cinema. Archived from the original on 9 February 2023. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
  10. ^ Roux, Erene (11 June 2020). "'Rafiki': Award-winning Kenyan love story now streaming on Showmax". The South African. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  11. ^ Guest, Africa in Words (26 April 2019). "'Every time we have an opportunity to view other people or other places, it adds value to our own lives': Talking inclusion, community and joy with 'Rafiki' filmmaker Wanuri Kahiu". Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  12. ^ festivaldecannes (9 May 2018). "Rafiki as seen by Wanuri Kahiu". Festival de Cannes. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  13. ^ "TIFF 2018: The Afrobubblegum of Wanuri Kahiu's "Rafiki" – Girish Shambu". Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  14. ^ Milne, Rachel (1 September 2023). "'Fun, fierce and frivolous': Afrobubblegum and the possibilities of queer African love in Rafiki". Queer Studies in Media & Popular Culture. 8 (Representing Queerness: Modes, Manners and Methods): 297–314. doi:10.1386/qsmpc_00107_1. ISSN 2055-5695.
  15. ^ Busch, Anita (16 May 2018). "'Rafiki' Writer-Director Wanuri Kahiu Signs With The Gotham Group". Deadline. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
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  17. ^ "Rafiki". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 12 February 2024. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
  18. ^ "Dutch premiere of Rafiki at the International Film Festival Rotterdam". www.rinkelfilm.com. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  19. ^ "Film Review: Rafiki, 'A beautiful piece of African cinema that could have won an Oscar'". The Circular. 27 February 2019. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  20. ^ "Kenya Film Classification Board on Twitter". Twitter. Archived from the original on 29 September 2023. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  21. ^ Summers, Hannah (27 April 2018). "Canned in Kenya, set for Cannes: Rafiki falls foul of Nairobi film censors". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  22. ^ "Ban of Kenyan film over lesbianism criticised". Daily Nation. Archived from the original on 27 July 2023. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
  23. ^ "Kenya bans Rafiki ahead of Cannes debut over lesbian scenes". BBC News. 27 April 2018. Archived from the original on 14 February 2024. Retrieved 8 May 2018.
  24. ^ "Kenya Lifts Ban on Lesbian Love Tale, in Time for Oscar Nominations". Voice of America. 21 September 2018. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  25. ^ Mutuko, Mumbi (11 September 2018). "Government Sued for Preventing Kenyan Movie From Winning Oscars". Kenyans. Archived from the original on 13 February 2024. Retrieved 11 September 2018.
  26. ^ Vourlias, Christopher (21 September 2018). "Kenyan Judge Lifts Ban on LGBT Film 'Rafiki,' Enabling It to Qualify for Oscars". Variety. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  27. ^ Pedersen, Bruce Haring,Erik (22 September 2018). "'Rafiki' Ban Temporarily Lifted By Kenyan Government; Film Held Out Of Cannes Now Eligible As Oscar Submission". Deadline. Retrieved 21 November 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
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  29. ^ "High Court lifts ban on controversial lesbian movie, dismisses moral police Ezekiel Mutua". Tuko. 21 September 2018. Archived from the original on 2 February 2024. Retrieved 21 September 2018.
  30. ^ "Kenya lifts ban on lesbian film ahead of Oscars". The Independent. 24 September 2018. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  31. ^ a b Griffin, Tamerra (29 September 2018). "People Had Seven Days To Watch A Film Banned For "Promoting Lesbianism"". BuzzFeed News. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  32. ^ "Lesbian film Rafiki sells out after Kenyan court lifts ban". The Sydney Morning Herald. 23 September 2018. Archived from the original on 9 February 2023. Retrieved 23 September 2018.
  33. ^ "'Rafiki' grosses millions in theatres". The Citizen. 2 April 2021. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  34. ^ Musyoka, Michael (28 September 2018). "Supa Modo is Kenya's Submission to Oscars, Rafiki Loses Out". Kenyans.co.ke. Archived from the original on 13 February 2024. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
  35. ^ Vourlias, Christopher (28 September 2018). "Kenya Picks Berlinale Crowd-Pleaser 'Supa Modo' as Its Oscar Hopeful". Variety. Archived from the original on 14 February 2024. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
  36. ^ a b "Fespaco: Banned lesbian love story Rafiki wins award". BBC News. 3 March 2019. Archived from the original on 26 March 2023. Retrieved 3 March 2019.
  37. ^ a b c Kelleher, Patrick (28 October 2018). "Lesbian film Rafiki wins three awards at US festivals, despite ban in Kenya". PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  38. ^ "AFI Fest Unveils New Auteurs, American Independents Lineups". SHOOTonline. 4 October 2018. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  39. ^ Guzmac, Rub (22 November 2024). "Announcing AFI FEST 2018 New Auteurs and American Independents Lineups". American Film Institute. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  40. ^ "Cannes Film Festival Nomination For This LGBT Love Story Makes History". The Fashion Plate Magazine. 16 April 2018. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  41. ^ a b c madimetja (12 June 2020). "Watch "Rafiki" on Showmax In Celebration of Pride Month". SA Creatives. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  42. ^ Erbland, Kate (12 April 2018). "Cannes 2018: Wanuri Kahiu's Lesbian Love Story 'Rafiki' Is First Kenyan Feature Film to Ever Screen at Festival". IndieWire. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  43. ^ Martin, Kasey (20 October 2018). "Awards Announced for 54th Chicago International Film Festival". Cinema Chicago. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  44. ^ a b c d "Rafiki". Providence Children's Film Festival. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  45. ^ "Rafiki wins Bridging The Borders Award at Germany's Lucas Film Festival - Cinema Without Borders". 3 October 2018. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
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  47. ^ "Virgin Media Dublin International Film Festival 2019 Award Winners Announced". Screen Ireland. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
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  49. ^ Barry, Aoife (23 January 2019). "Here's what's in store for this year's Dublin International Film Festival". TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  50. ^ "Kenya's Samantha Mugatsia Snags 'Best Actress' Award for Her Lead Role in 'RAFIKI' at FESPACO 2019 - Okayplayer". www.okayafrica.com. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  51. ^ "Fespaco: Banned lesbian love story Rafiki wins award". 3 March 2019. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  52. ^ Odutayo, Aanu Adeoye,Damilola (4 March 2019). "Actress in banned lesbian film 'Rafiki' wins award". CNN. Retrieved 22 November 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  53. ^ "Göteborg Fest announces 2019 programme". Nordisk Film & TV Fond. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  54. ^ Roxborough, Scott (8 January 2019). "Sweden's Goteborg Film Festival Unveils Gender Neutral Acting Award". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  55. ^ "The 2019 Reelout Kim Renders Memorial Outstanding Performance Awards Announced! – Reelout". www.reelout.com. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  56. ^ McLernon, Lianna Matt (22 March 2019). "MSPIFF 2019 for Fashion Lovers". Minnesota Monthly. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  57. ^ Staff, Mshale (12 April 2019). "African films at 38th Minneapolis Saint Paul International Film Festival". Mshale. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  58. ^ "Queerty Hosts 2019 Queerties Awards in WeHo - WEHO TIMES West Hollywood News, Nightlife and Events". 28 February 2019. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  59. ^ Ochieng, Jennifer (31 October 2019). "Rafiki Wins Two Awards at Africa Movies Academy Awards". KenyanVibe. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  60. ^ "AMAA: Winners from di awards for film inside Africa". BBC News Pidgin. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  61. ^ "AwardsWatch - Chlotrudis Nominations: 'The Last Black Man in San Francisco' leads with 9". AwardsWatch. 28 January 2020. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  62. ^ "AwardsWatch - 'Parasite' tops 26th Chlotrudis Awards". AwardsWatch. 25 March 2020. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  63. ^ Times, The Rustin (9 January 2020). "Rafiki is nominated for the 31st Annual GLAAD Media Awards + Full nominee list". The Rustin Times. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  64. ^ "VIFF highlights 2SLGBTQiA+ creators and their works • What's On Queer BC Magazine". What's On Queer BC • Magazine, Events and Resources for the LGBTQ+ Community. 18 September 2024. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  65. ^ Dunn, Bryen (26 September 2024). "What's queer at the 2024 Vancouver International Film Festival – Sept 26 to Oct 6, 2024". TheBUZZ Magazine. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
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