#TIFF2018 Review: Rafiki

**The following review contains minor spoilers**

When Wanuri Kahiu’s film Rafiki screened at the Toronto International Film Festival, where I had the honor of seeing it, it couldn’t even be screened in its own country. The film, about two girls who fall in love despite it being against the law in Kenya, was itself against the law in Kenya. The country’s ban on homosexuality led for the film to also be banned for being contrary to that law.

But where the film focuses on love, brightness, and hope, even amidst oppression, the movie’s meta-story focuses on the same. Kahiu won her case against the Kenyan High Court and Rafiki will screen in Kenya for seven days, allowing Kahiu to submit the film for a Foreign Language Oscar nomination.

I was drawn to the film initially because of Kahiu’s mission of “Afro Bubblegum,” which is also the name of her media company.

“We believe in a fun, fierce and frivolous representation of Africa. To that end, we work to curate, commission and create fun work that celebrates joy.”

I love the concept of Black films not having to center on trauma, but being able to show the light and ordinary lives of Black people. In Kahiu’s TedTalk on Afro Bubblegum, she discusses how much of Africa’s media is about seriousness, trauma, and activism. There is little space for frivolity, but Kahiu feels that is just as important as the serious art. We here in America could use the same in our Black storytelling, which tends to center tragedy or a white perspective, even when it’s well done. So I wanted to see what Afro Bubblegum looked like to Wanuri and I left impressed.

Rafiki follows Kena (Samantha Mugatsia), the daughter of a store owner who is running for political office. We see her life in her bright Nairobi neighborhood, how she hangs with some of the guys and skateboards around the city. Soon, she eyes a girl with the colorful pink hair, Ziki (Sheila Munyiva), who happens to be the daughter of Kena’s father’s political opponent. Immediately, we are swept into a twice forbidden romance, as the two eye each other knowing that not only could this impact their fathers’ campaign because they are rivals, but it could affect all their lives as the people in the neighborhood are violent towards out gay people.

Despite knowing it’s dangerous, the two spark a friendship, clearly romantically interested in each other. They go on dates and, during a flash rainstorm, find a cozy old van (complete with cushions and eventually candles that Kena lights for Ziki) to call their safe space.

But the weight and threat of someone finding out pops their happy bubble, especially when Ziki tries to touch Kena at the church they both attend. The movie does feature violence against the two when a mob finds out about their relationship.

Overall, the film is soft and sweet. The cinematography is enchanting, with its bubblegum tint and the motif of pink items and clothing being laced through every shot. Nairobi looked beautiful, which is something American audiences don’t get to see a lot in the mainstream — the ordinary beauty of Africa. I wanted to soak up every inch of the screen as I watched the movie. And the clothes? I couldn’t get enough of Kena and Ziki’s outfits. Kahiu and production designer Arya Lalloo made every scene One Perfect Shot worthy.

Rafiki is a charming film that has led to positive consequences in the real world, allowing Kenyan audiences to see a different kind of love story on the big screen. It is a coming of age film that embraces the idea that sometimes love isn’t enough, but there’s always hope. If Rafiki is screening near you, I encourage you to go see it. It left me both feeling somber but also warm and fuzzy, like wearing a warm pink blanket on a gloomy day.

About the Author

Constance Gibbs  is a writer, editor, podcaster, epic tweeter and all-around TV junkie living in NYC. She currently a writer for an educational children’s magazine. Before, she was a features writer for the New York Daily News and the TV Editor for Black Girl Nerds. She dabbles in photography and occasional freelance writing. Connie is most often found tweeting about her favorite TV shows and pop culture from her hobbit hole that looks an awful lot like Hufflepuff House. She also probably has 37 tabs open. She should close at least one of them.