On Sunday, 23rd September 2018 the ‘Rafiki’ film started solo screening at Prestige Plaza. The screening of the film ended on Saturday, 29th September 2018. It began on a high note with the LGBTQ community, friends and supporters flocking the cinemas with rainbow and relevant paraphernalia only for the fever to fade out as the days went on. The obvious Friday rush was not oblivious as screens like Gouthe-Institut who were offering free viewing decided to change the rules last minute to the tighten the leash and contain the crowds. The very last day the vibe was all calm and excited.
The buzz about the film were raised expectations notches higher especially originating from the global acclaim and the Kenya Film and Classification Board’s Chairman, Ezekiel Mutua negative and unaccommodating numerous remarks on social media. Kenyans were out to unveil the ‘immoral paradox box’, if only and only if they got the time and chance to buy a ticket on the oddly hours the film was scheduled at Prestige Cinema. However, later on IMAX (XX Century, Sky Panari, Anga Diamond, Anga Mega,Nyali Complex) joined Prestige Cinema and added the timings across Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu.
The National Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (NGLHRC) made sure the minority community watched it for free, adding on to the free package, a panel conversation with Sheila Munyiva playing Ziki, Kena’s girlfriend in the film, Aida Mbowa producer at None on Record, Sofia Rajab-Leitapan lawyer of the film and the newly appointed director of NGLHRC lawyer and activist Njeri Gateru.
The film’s plot was centered on two young girl’s whose dads were running for county’s office. The two girls were fresh out of high school, Kena and Ziki became fond of each other and the story continues. (I’m not about to be a spoiler!)
On Saturday, the last day of screening I sat down to watch the film scheduled at IMAX- XX Century for 1820 hours waiting for the end of the Kenya’s moral ground! Only to realize at the end of the film I had watched a worth-my-time Kenyan production that could have very well pass as a program on Nickelodeon. Ezekiel the hate though?!
I applaud Wanuri Kahiu, for capturing the typical Kenyan story in theatrical pomp cinematography. If you did not see yourself in the film, guarantee you are not Kenyan. (Queer or not.)
Wanuri Kahiu’s film may not have made its nomination to the Oscars in the Best Foreign Language Film category but very much created an unmatched reputation for her brand worldwide, what next, Wanuri?
Otherwise, we congratulate Supa Modo for the nomination!
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