Fans of the film and supporters of global LGBTQ equality can watch RAFIKI online on Amazon Prime. 2 talking about this. Rafiki. The leads are adorable, together and apart, but their scenes as a couple are truly lovely. There are definitely cultural differences in this film. It is the first Kenyan film to be screened at Cannes and, more importantly, the first film with a positive message about homosexuality to play in Kenyan theaters. Queer worldmaking describes the many ways in which heterosexual social structures have been challenged with the aim of creating a more equitable world in which queer people might thrive. CANNES 2018: Kenyan filmmaker Wanuri Kahiu talked to us about her film Rafiki, presented in this year's Un Certain Regard section . The lesbian love story at the center of “Rafiki” resulted in the censorship of the film by the Kenya Film Classification Board, which operates under the Government of Kenya. Subscribe to watch new videos. The film arrives as Kenya’s conversation on homosexuality begins to heat up and enter mainstream discourse. Politician Martha Karua says she enjoyed watching the banned lesbian love film 'Rafiki'. This is among the best movies acted in Kenya. A Kenyan high court has temporarily lifted the ban on 'Rafiki' a movie about love between two women. A young Kenyan woman replied: “Watching Rafiki with my mother and coming out.” Rafiki is Kahiu’s new film – a gorgeous romance about two teenage girls falling in love in Nairobi. "Good Kenyan girls become good Kenyan wives," but Kena and Ziki long for something more. Rafiki—an award-winning new lesbian romance film by Wanuri Kahiu, Kenyan director, producer and author—has lost its long-endured Freedom of Expression ruling in Kenya’s high courts. Rafiki. Even before its premiere at Cannes this year, a national ban was enforced for its supposed “intent to promote lesbianism in Kenya, contrary to the law”. Download or stream from your Apple TV, Roku, Smart TV, computer or portable device. Kenyan filmmaker Wanuri Kahiu, who directed the movie, took to Twitter to express her disappointment, saying,"We believe adult Kenyans are mature and discerning enough to watch … Review by Jacob ★★★★ 2. Scavenger Hunt 70 - Watch a Kenyan film. When love blossoms between them, the two girls will be forced to choose between happiness and safety. With Samantha Mugatsia, Neville Misati, Nice Githinji, Charlie Karumi. Since the ban, it has also shown in Durban, South Africa; Zanzibar, Tanzania; and Toronto, Canada. gaytimes.co.uk. 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. Sign in; Menu. 10 of the best lesbian films of all time. Buy, Rent or Watch Rafiki and other Movies + TV Shows online. The Kenyan film is named for the Swahili word for friend, Rafiki, which is often how a romance begins. “Rafiki” first made headlines after its 2018 Cannes Film Festival debut for being the first Kenyan film to attend the festival. It is a lesbian story that is set in a place where such sexual orientation is forbidden by law. Rafiki tells a familiar story with bracing originality, marking director/co-writer Wanuri Kahiu as a talent to watch. While male same-sex romances have been slowly making their way to the mainstream, lesbian love stories are still underrepresented in cinema. In “Rafiki,” the Kenyan actress Samantha Mugatsia delivers a quietly watchful performance as Kena, a Nairobi teenager on the verge of falling in love for the first time. You have probably heard about it since it created a lot of controversy with its Western theme. They support one another in the pursuit of their dreams but ultimately have to choose between happiness and safety in this multi-award-winning Kenyan film. I love unique coming of age love stories, so thoroughly enjoyed the new Rafiki movie. critics consensus. South Africa/Kenya - 83 min - English/Swahili/Sheng Ezekiel Mutua, the head of Kenya’s Film Classification Board, didn’t want Kenyans to see Wanuri Kahiu’s internationally acclaimed film Rafiki. Queer worldmaking in Rafiki. Hundreds had come to watch Rafiki, a movie about two young Kenyan women who are full of life, joy and wonder. 2 min read. 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; it was the first Kenyan film to be screened at the festival. Although Rafiki is the first Kenyan film to be selected and screened at Cannes, it was banned in Kenya by the Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) “due to its homosexual theme and clear intent to promote lesbianism in Kenya contrary to the law and dominant values of the Kenyans.” Rafiki (Swahili for 'friend') is a 2018 Kenyan drama film directed by Wanuri Kahiu. Rafiki is a 2018 Kenyan drama film directed by Wanuri Kahiu. It is always interesting to get the inside scoop on love stories in other cultures. Rafiki, which makes its debut at Cannes despite being banned in its home country, is also the first Kenyan film to play the festival. There is no question that Rafiki is a timely and necessary film. With Showmax Free you can watch selected series and movies for free, with adverts. Friends Kena and Ziki want more from their lives than becoming wives. Watch (or watch again) and share with friends and supporters, to share this important story. Genre: Drama Year: 2018 FPB Rating: 16PVL. Rafiki is sweet and serious from moment to moment, and it understands that the most political action can be to simply live your own life. “Rafiki” is a lesbian romance set in a place where such love stories, in real life and onscreen, are forbidden by law. This is after a link was shared on Twitter by US-based lawyer Prof Makau Mutua, who was against the ban. Kenya’s banned lesbian romance Rafiki was one of the winners in the 31st Annual GLAAD Media Awards, which recognises LGBTQ inclusion and representation.. Rafiki, which was banned in its home country of Kenya, was honoured with the Outstanding Film – Limited Release award.. Co-writer and Director of the film Wanuri said she was honoured to win the GLAAD award. After watching the film, I can see why. Kena is a great student; she plays football and hangs out with the guys. AFI Fest 2018: Movie #17. Who said this wasn’t a geniunely good movie? That meant, despite Rafiki being the first Kenyan film to be shown at the Cannes Film Festival; despite the fact that it was shot in Kenya, was directed by a Kenyan, and features an all-Kenyan cast, Kenyans could not watch Rafiki in their own country. Read critic reviews Featuring remarkable performances by newcomers Samantha Mugatsia and Sheila Munyiva, RAFIKI is a hip tale of first love “reminiscent of the early work of Spike Lee” (Screen Daily) that’s “impossible not to celebrate” (Variety)! In May 2018, Rafiki became the first Kenyan film to play at the Cannes Film Festival. Despite the ruling preventing the film from being shown in Kenya, RAFIKI is still available to the public. Main competition jury members Cate Blanchett, Ava DuVernay, Lea … Rafiki has been submitted to the 2019 Oscars Award as Kenya’s entry in the Best Foreign language film category. Directed by Wanuri Kahiu. Thanks for the love Gay Times Magazine! Rafiki Movie. In support of Kahiu, in protest of any, and all, anti-LGBTQ legislation, we can all join in a small act of civil disobedience and solidarity by streaming Rafiki—now available on Amazon Prime! Rafiki is the first Kenyan film to screen in competition at the Cannes Film Festival. Bursting with the colorful street style & music of Nairobi’s vibrant youth culture, RAFIKI is a tender love story between two young women in a country that still criminalizes homosexuality. 22/05/2018. In May, Rafiki premiered at Cannes, the first Kenyan film to be selected by the prestigious festival.