Rafiki (2018)

Directed by: Wanuri Kahiu | 83 minutes | drama, romance | Actors: Samantha Mugatsia, Sheila Munyiva, Jimmy Gathu, Nini Wacera, Neville Misati, Nice Githinji, Charlie Karumi, Muthoni Gathecha, Vitalis Waweru, Mellen Aura, Leila Weema, Githae Njogu, Dennis Musyoka, Patricia Amira

Falling in love with someone of the same sex in conservative Kenya is asking for trouble. But love cannot be controlled and so the butterflies take over in ‘Rafiki’, Wanuri Kahiu’s daring second feature (for that country, or rather for the entire continent). ‘Rafiki’ is set in Nairobi, where Kena (Samantha Mugatsia) divides her time between school, working in her father’s grocery store (who also ran in the upcoming MCA elections), skateboarding and playing soccer with her friends. . Her best friend is Blacksta, who isn’t in a hurry to ask for Kena’s hand just yet, assuming they’ll get married anyway. But when Kena meets the beautiful Ziki (Sheila Munyiva), she can’t think of anyone else.

Ziki is – in keeping with the Romeo & Juliet tradition – the daughter of a rival politician. The pair meet for the first time when Kena catches Ziki and her friends destroying Kena’s father’s campaign posters. Despite this obstacle, the two young women agree and get on well. You don’t have to wonder how the environment is reacting to their blossoming love: from the gossiper who is only too happy to share every detail about all the local residents to the homophobic comments of Kena’s group of friends, you know that Kena and Ziki are in big trouble. .

Yet that falls raw on your roof, once it is that far. The level of hostility and violence is so degrading and unreasonable that your heart clenches with compassion for these two young lovers. It helps that Wanuri Kahiu has already completely wrapped us up thanks to her two fantastic lead actresses. The attraction between Mugatsia and Muyiva splashes off the screen and although the emotions are sometimes too over the top, the film is subtle in showing ‘the first time’. Visually, ‘Rafiki’ is sparkling and colourful.

‘Rafiki’ certainly doesn’t tell an original story, but the film is unique when you consider the circumstances in which it was made. This is groundbreaking and important for a Kenyan production. It is therefore not surprising that the film – the first from the country – was selected for the Un Certain Regard section in Cannes in 2018. It is not surprising that the film was initially banned in Kenya itself; that the film was allowed to run for a week after much protest feels like a small victory.