Original Story Published by: David Hudson for Gay Star News
Image courtesy of: Awali Entertainment Ltd
(Above) Scene from Wanuri Kahiu's new film Cannes.
Rafiki means ‘friend’ in Swahili; director ‘incredibly disappointed’ at the decision and says audiences are mature enough to see the film.
Kenya-set lesbian love drama Rafiki looks set to join the ranks of one of the most talked-about same-sex movies of recent years.
However, the film – which centres on the attraction two young women feel for one another – has just suffered a blow. Film censors in Kenya announced a ban on the movie screening in the country.
News of the censoring comes just days before it receives its world premiere as part of the Cannes Film Festival in France.
The Kenya Film Classification Board confirmed the decision on Twitter. It said: ‘The Board has RESTRICTED a local film titled ‘Rafiki’ produced by Awali Entertainment Ltd. Its homosexual theme and clear intent to promote lesbianism in Kenya is contrary to the law.’
The Board has RESTRICTED a local film titled ‘Rafiki’ produced by Awali Entertainment Ltd. Its homosexual theme and clear intent to promote lesbianism in Kenya is contrary to the law.#KFCBbansLesbianFilm
Dr. @EzekielMutua@WilliamsRuto@CSRashidEchesa@NellyMuluka@KibetBenard_ pic.twitter.com/3zqvoZFy3D— KFCB (@InfoKfcb) April 27, 2018
Rafiki is directed and co-written by Wanuri Kahiu. She said during an appearance on Kenyan breakfast show Morning Express on KTN she was ‘incredibly disappointed’ at the decision.
She told the BBC, ‘I really had hoped that the classification board would classify it as an 18. Because we feel the Kenyan audience is a mature, discerning enough audience.’
‘I feel like the banning of the film does not allow the Kenyan audience to have a conversation about the film, and doesn’t allow the Kenyan audience to even watch it and as adults decide what they think.’
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