cinéSPEAK and PFS present: RAFIKI
WANURI KAHIU | KENYA | 2018 | 83 MIN | NR | ENGLISH & SWAHILI W/ ENGLISH SUBTITLES
Set in the bustling Nairobi neighborhood known as “the Slopes,” Wanuri Kahiu’s RAFIKI follows two young women—studious Kena (Samantha Mugatsia) and free-spirited Ziki (Sheila Munyiva)—who fall in love even though their fathers are political foes. Family rivalry isn’t the only thing coming between Kena and Ziki; they live in a society where religious zealotry reigns and homosexuality is a crime. When their closeness begins to arouse the suspicions of their intolerant neighbors, the two young women must choose whether to continue seeing each other even if it means sacrificing their safety. The first Kenyan film ever to premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, RAFIKI also grabbed headlines for being initially banned in its home country for its positive portrayal of homosexuality. But more than a message movie, RAFIKI is a joyful, stylish ode to queer love.
The screening will be followed by a discussion moderated by Qunify.
Content Warning: brief violence and use of homophobic language
“A vibrant, pulsing piece of work, keying off the joy of young love and unexpected discovery.” –Flavorwire
Cast: Samantha Mugatsia, Sheila Munyiva, Patricia Amira, Dennis Musyoka
About cinéSPEAK:
cinéSPEAK is a Philadelphia-based organization that engages diverse audiences through our independent, repertory and foreign film programming; creating space and centering the stories of individuals and communities that are often underrepresented in mainstream cinema.
cinéSPEAK promotes community togetherness and global understanding by engaging film enthusiasts while cultivating the next generation of discerning moviegoers; encouraging people to demand social justice both on-screen and throughout society.
cinéSPEAK is a proudly-sponsored project of CultureTrust Greater Philadelphia, a charitable 501(c)(3) trust supporting diverse cultural practices in the Philadelphia region.
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