BLACK HISTORY MONTH/OUT AT THE MOVIES
RAFIKI
Thursday, February 28 at 7:30 pm
Members $11 | Public $16 | Includes Reception
Free for Young Film Fan Members
“Good Kenyan girls become good Kenyan wives,” but Kena and Ziki long for something more. Despite the political rivalry between their families, the girls resist and remain close friends, supporting each other to pursue their dreams in a conservative society. When love blossoms between them, the two girls will be forced to choose between happiness and safety.
Swahili for ‘friend,’ Rafiki chronicles a story of two girls in love, challenging deep rooted cynicism about same sex relationships. Rafiki was also banned by the Kenya Film Classification Board "due to its homosexual theme and clear intent to promote lesbianism in Kenya contrary to the law,” which dictates gay sex is punishable by 14 years in jail. Nonetheless, Rafiki made history as the first Kenyan film to be in competition at Cannes Film Festival. Director Wanuri Kahiu sued Kenya's government, to allow the film to be screened and eligible for submission as the Academy’s Best Foreign Language Film. On 21 September 2018, the Kenyan High Court lifted the ban, allowing it to be screened for seven days, shown to sold-out shows in Nairobi. (Kenya, 2018, 83 min., NR, Swahili with English subtitles | Dir. Wanuri Kahiu)
