Why a Kenyan film about love was banned for being too hopeful
In short: When director Wanuri Kahiu released Rafiki, the Kenya Film Classification Board demanded she change the ending because it was too positive. Kahiu refused, sparking a legal battle that temporarily overturned a national ban and highlighted the tension between artistic expression and local laws regarding same-sex relationships.
Rafiki, which translates to friend in Swahili, follows the romance between two young women, Kena and Ziki, in Nairobi. Their relationship is complicated by the fact that their fathers are political rivals and that homosexuality is illegal in Kenya, punishable by up to 14 years in prison. The film, inspired by the 2007 short story Jambula Tree, uses vibrant cinematography to depict Nairobi as a colorful city, shifting to softer pastel tones during intimate moments to emphasize tenderness.
The film's production was a global effort, requiring financing from Europe, the United States, and Lebanon after local funding proved impossible. Upon its 2018 international premiere at the Cannes Film Festival—the first Kenyan film to achieve this—it faced immediate censorship at home. The Kenya Film Classification Board banned the film, citing its homosexual themes and intent to promote lesbianism. The board specifically objected to the film's hopeful conclusion, which Kahiu refused to alter, leading to a standoff that drew international attention.
Kahiu sued the government to allow the film to be screened, arguing for its eligibility for the 91st Academy Awards. In September 2018, High Court judge Wilfrida Okwany temporarily lifted the ban for seven days. The film subsequently played to sold-out crowds in Nairobi, generating millions of shillings. Despite this success, it was not selected as Kenya's official Oscar entry. Kahiu, who advocates for a cultural movement she calls Afrobubblegum, maintains that African art should prioritize joy and hope over narratives of terror and hardship.
The film has received critical acclaim, holding a 96% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and winning awards at festivals including the 2019 FESPACO and the Chicago International Film Festival. Lead actress Samantha Mugatsia, discovered at a party, won the Best Actress award at FESPACO for her performance. Ultimately, the film serves as both a romantic drama and a defiant statement on the power of storytelling in the face of institutional resistance.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Rafiki (film)
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