RAFIKI

Showings

Ped Mall -Scene 1 Mon, Mar 11, 2019 6:00 PM
Series Info
Series:Women's March
Pride at FilmScene
Film Info
Rating:Not Rated
Runtime:83 minutes
Director:Wanuri Kahiu
Year Released:2018
Production Country:Kenya
Language:English, Swahili

Description

Special sneak preview and Iowa premiere! Opens NY & LA in June!
Presented as part of Women's March: Vanguard Voices and in partnership with Iowa City Pride

Join us to kick off the "Vanguard Voices" series on Monday, March 4 at 5pm - meet our talkback leaders, learn about the series and enjoy free dumplings courtesy of Dumpling Darling!

"A wholly new vision of African filmmaking that is vibrant, compassionate, and joyous." - Sarah-Tai Black, Cinema Scope

"A burst of unfiltered teenage energy. Lively and full of vision!" - Emily Yoshida, Vulture

"By framing an effervescent lesbian romance against a backdrop of political allegiance and the societal taboos surrounding LGBTQ rights, Rafiki finds its voice - and deserves to shout it, loud and clear." - Ella Kemp, Dazed

WINNER: OUTShine Film Festival - Best Feature
WINNER: NewFest - Best Narrative Feature
OFFICIAL SELECTION: Toronto International Film Festival, Cannes Film Festival 

Post-screening talkback led by Dr. Brady G'Sell - Assistant Professor, Gender, Women and Sexuality Studies and Anthropology, University of Iowa.

Bursting with the colorful street style and music of Nairobi's vibrant youth culture, Rafiki is a tender love story between two young women in a country that still criminalizes homosexuality. Kena and Ziki have long been told that "good Kenyan girls become good Kenyan wives" - but they yearn for something more. Despite the political rivalry between their families, the girls encourage each other to pursue their dreams in a conservative society. When love blossoms between them, Kena and Ziki must choose between happiness and safety.

Initially banned in Kenya for its positive portrayal of queer romance, Rafiki won a landmark supreme court case chipping away at Kenya anti-LGBT legislation.  

Brady G’sell is an Assistant Professor of Anthropology and Gender, Women’s and Sexuality Studies. Her research examines the intersection of citizenship, kinship, and economy in the everyday lives of South African women. Drawing on approaches from feminist anthropology, women’s history, and gendered theories of capital, her work considers how intimate relationships reproduce or transform political belonging. She addresses these questions in South Africa, where gender, race, and work mark the shifting boundaries of political inclusion. Dr. G’sell teaches courses on Law and the Family; Love, Sex, and Money; and Mothers and Motherhood at the University of Iowa.