Kenyan film director Wanuri Kahiu says Kenyans are to blame for the ban imposed on her lesbian-themed movie “Rafiki”.
“Rafiki” tells a story of two teenage girls who are deeply in love but their relationship is opposed by their families and community.
The Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) banned the movie over claims of promoting homosexuality, which is illegal under Kenyan laws.
“The reason ‘Rafiki’ is not watched in Kenya is that Kenyans didn’t advocate for it,” claims Wanuri.
The filmmaker says some Kenyans opened up to her about their sexuality after a Nairobi court allowed the movie to be screened in Kenya for seven days in September.
“Many people came to me and told me they saw themselves in the movie because they had lived in denial for so long,” she says.
Wanuri accuses Kenyans of failing to support and fight for the controversial film as well as their rights.
“When you see a non-white person creating a film, go out and buy a ticket. You don’t have to watch it but do it for the data.”
“So that the next time I am creating a film of joy with people of color, I can say, look at the data because the only thing we have had recently is the Black Panther, which cannot be the only film to be used to explain our diversity,” she notes.
“There are more stories of joy to be told and they are to be told by us. It is our responsibility and that is why I am fighting with the authorities.”
Wanuri Kahiu if you want…
Wanuri Kahiu if you want Kenyans to spend their money watching a film, create one that promotes our cultures, our laws and have a reflection of who we are as a people. We are tired of being made copy cats of the west.
This film violates both Kenyan laws and cultures. Wanuri Kahiu sell that film in the Western countries and make millions. Kenya is at cross-roads asking where we went wrong as a people. Before you make the next film, do your research and homework and find out what is acceptable and what our people really need. Some of us cannot afford one complete healthy meal a day. Our priorities in 2019 are in basics which some of us cannot even afford- Food,Clothing,Shelter and Health. Your film needs to wait a couple of years until we feed our people. We are still in the baby steps of following the “Ten Commandments”.
Wanuri is a Mental challenge…
Wanuri is a Mental challenge FOOL. So Do Not Argue with Her.?
Mashetani madevils stinking…
Mashetani madevils stinking bullshit behaviours hatuzitaki hapa jamhuri.Go show such films huko united state of gormolla or uk where the devil n his children’s resides n is torelated.Wanuri tell yr sponsors of such nonsense to go burn in hell.Ushoga is worse than corruption n we need to delete such pple with such behaviours completely juu wataambukiza wengine kama ukimwi.Bure kabisa to this western stinking nonsense behaviours
Well therein lies the answer…
Well therein lies the answer -Duh!Kenyans do not want to watch your lesbian films, even my 10 year old understand this simple logic when she can’t sell lemonade on a cold day :-). Why do Nigerians movies popular in Nigeria and all other African countries , yeah I do watch some for laughs too BUT they understand their audience – that should be Film making 101!So miss Wanuri, you may have gotten accolades elsewhere but Kenyan society is not ready for that. Kwani , there are so many stories one can tell just in a few radius in Nairobi, seriously there are so many characters one can bring to life – easily !
“When you see a non-white…
“When you see a non-white person creating a film, go out and buy a ticket. You don’t have to watch it but do it for the data.” – Errr anyone see what is wrong with this statement? This girl is not that smart is she? Why would anyone waste money on something they do not like? So why is she lowering our standards ( one of many reason tuko tuu chini) that is convoluted way of thinking – so should we accept mediocre just because a black person produced it , get real dear girl! You need to produce BEST work that anyone in the world will go see, Wakanda did it , get out did , Tyler Perry has done it!
Totally agree with you. No…
Totally agree with you. No dumbing down just to create data points. Creativity and knowing your audience is key.