RAFIKI

RAFIKI, 2018
Kenya, France | HDD, Color, 83’ | English, Swahili
Director: Wanuri Kahiu
Cast: Sheila Munyiva, Samantha Mugatsia, Neville Misati

Rafiki, a film portraying the love story of two women made its premiere in Cannes, after being banned in its home country, Kenya. The relationship between Kena, who wants to become a nurse after graduating from college and who plays football with the boys in the neighborhood, and Ziki, who dances hip-hop with her girl group and draws attention with her colorful dreadlocks, goes under duress because of their fathers who become rivals in the mukhtar race and the pressure from the neighborhood. As the film conveys this familiar story of forbidden desire, with its visual power embellished with vibrant colors of purple and pink, the lead actresses successfully carry the complex and unprocessed energy between the two characters.