Indeed, Nigeria and Africa cannot be greater than the world – Obviously not.
If our government policies and religious inclinations are the best, we certainly should be at par with the developed world.
Here is the story of Rafiki; a voice enslaved by Africans, but which must find freedom at all cost. Thanks to the western world; indeed, it is not for nothing that you are called the developed world.
Outcast in Kenya, banned in Nigeria, received in Ghana with mixed feelings; the movie itself is a reflection of our society, a people obsessed by rules and tradition of morals that have no bearing with development. In fact, no matter the level of development that a personal lifestyle can bring, remaining underdeveloped are usually our option because a particular lifestyle is perceived immoral- why defines morals?
The problems many around here find with Rafiki is that it tries to express freedom of association through same sex relationship. Agreed, that same sex marriage has been outlawed by the Nigerian constitution (In 2013 Nigeria made same-sex marriage illegal and punishable by 14 years in prison, and in some societies, death by stoning. According to a report from Human Rights Watch, the law is “used by some police officers and members of the public to legitimize abuses against LGBT people”). On the other hand, how does that affect the people’s right to see a film of their choice. What are we afraid of? Who are we protecting? Of course one cannot protect an adult from a game of grownups. Again, this brings us to the issue of Film Classification. This could have saved anyone from whatever perceived problem, but our government appears to be playing up Censorship, as against the core Classification mandate of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB).
In Rafiki, “Good Kenyan girls become good Kenyan wives,” but Kena and Ziki long for something more. Despite the political rivalry between their families, the girls resist and remain close friends, supporting each other to pursue their dreams in a conservative society. When love blossoms between them, the two girls will be forced to choose between happiness and safety.
Perhaps there is something to learn from this new experience, Wanuri Kahiu, director of the award-winning short film “Pumzi” at the Sundance Film Festival in 2010, brings Rafiki (2018); the very first Kenyan feature film to the 71st Cannes Film Festiva – Un Certain Regard in official selection.
To understand how open-minded the rest of the world is, the 82 min/ English & Swahili film is a Big World Cinema Production in Co-Production with Afrobubblegum (Kenya), MPM Film (France), Schortcut Films (Lebanon), Ape & Bjorn (Norway), Rinkel Film (Netherlands) and Razor Film (Germany) with the financial contribution of the European Union and the assistance of the ACP Group of States and with the support of Aide aux Cinémas du Monde – Centre National du Cinéma et de l’Image Animée –Institut Français, Sørfond, The Netherlands Film Fund and Hubert Bals Fund, the Berlinale World Cinema Fund and ARRI – International Support Program
