Rafiki

Directed by Wanuri Kahiu

2018

Drama

82 min

|

Kenya South Africa Germany Netherlands France Norway Lebanon United Kingdom

|

English Swahili English Swahili

Synopsis

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.

International Releases

France - Météore Films United Kingdoms - Aya Distribution Japan - Senlis Inc. USA, Canada - Film Movement

Festivals

2018

  • Festival de Cannes | Un certain Regard selection
  • Toronto International Film Festival |
  • International Film Festival Karlovy Vary |
  • Busan International Film Festival |

About the Director

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Wanuri Kahiu

Born in Nairobi, Wanuri is part of the new generation of African storytellers. Her stories and films have received international acclaim. Her films screened in numerous film festivals around the world. To date, Wanuri has written and directed six films. Rafiki is her second feature film. She is the co-founder of AFROBUBBLEGUM, a media company that supports, creates and commissions fun, fierce and frivolous African art. In 2008, Wanuri completed her first feature film From A Whisper based on the real life events surrounding the twin bombings of US Embassies in Nairobi and Dar esSalaam in 1998. The film won awards at the Africa Movie Academy Awards including Best Director and Best Picture, the Golden Dhow award at Zanzibar International Film Festival and Best Film at Kalasha, Kenya Film and TV awards. Shortly after she completed a documentary about the life of Nobel peace Prize laureate Wangari Maathai entitled For Our Land (2009) for M-Net ‘Great Africans’ Series. Her short Science Fiction Film Pumzi (2009) that was partially funded by Focus Features, Goethe Institut and Changa Moto Fund in Kenya, screened atSundance in 2010. Pumzi won Best Short at Cannes Independent Film Festival, May 2010 and took Silver at Carthage Film Festival in 2010. Wanuri was named a TED Fellow in 2017 and World Economic Forum cultural leader in 2018. Wanuri published her first children’s book, The Wooden Camel (Lanata Publishing), she is currently in post porduction on a feature length documentary “GER” (To Be Separate) and in pre-production on “Rusties” a near future science fiction film set in Nairobi.

Filmography

From a Whisper (2009)

  • Los Angeles Pan African Film Festival - Narrative Feature (Nomination)

Pumzi (Short) (2009)

  • La Biennale di Venezia - Award of the City of Venice
  • Dubai International Film Festival - Muhr AsiaAfrica Award (Nomination)

Cast & Crew

Cast:
Samantha Mugatsia, Sheila Munyiva , Jimmi Gathu, Nini Wacera, Dennis Musyoka, Patricia Amira, Neville Misati, Muthoni Gathecha, Nice Githinji, Charlie Karumi, Vitalis Waweru, Hellen Aura, Githae Njogu
Script:
Wanuri Kahiu, Jenna Bass
Cinematographer:
Christopher Wessels
Editor:
Isabelle Dedieu, Ronelle Loots
Sound design & mix:
Frederic Salles
Producer:
Steven Markovitz
Production Company:
Big World Cinema
Co-production Company:
MPM Film, Schortcut Films, Ape&Bjørn, Rinkel Film, Razor Film Produktion GmbH, Tango Entertainment, Schortcut Films

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