Rafiki

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Rafiki

Released Apr 19, 2019

1h 23m

Drama

Romance

LGBTQ+

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Popcornmeter

94%

Tomatometer

80 Reviews

73%

Popcornmeter

50+ Ratings

Kena and Ziki live very different lives in Nairobi. Kena works in her father's shop and awaits the start of nursing school, while Ziki passes the days hanging out with her friends and making up dance routines. Their paths cross when their fathers run against each other for seats in the County Assembly, and they find themselves drawn to each other. Soon their interest grows to affection and the girls find ways to love each other despite the ever-watching gaze of the neighborhood.

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Critics Consensus

Rafiki tells a familiar story with bracing originality, marking director/co-writer Wanuri Kahiu as a talent to watch.

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Claudia Puig

FilmWeek (LAist)

I really like this film and I think [director] Wanuri Kahiu is definitely someone to watch.

Sep 28, 2019

Full Review

Adam Graham

Detroit News

It's a film that is rushing with energy and life.

Rated: B

May 24, 2019

Full Review

Justin Chang

Los Angeles Times

But to merely describe what happens in "Rafiki" would be to overlook its transporting sense of place, its striking visual pleasures and its credible and moving performances.

May 9, 2019

Full Review

Marya E. Gates

Cool People Have Feelings, Too. (Substack)

Featuring electric performances from its two leads, Kahiu’s film is a vibrant tribute to the power of love and the strength of those who must fight to express it.

Feb 12, 2024

Full Review

KT Mahe

For Your Reference Podcast

What Rafiki has done and will continue to do to in the cinematic landscape of Queer cinema is something that cannot be watered down in any aspect.

Rated: 4.5/5

Oct 9, 2023

Full Review

Oti

For Your Reference Podcast

We get to experience what it's like for the Queer community in Kenya. Not being recognised, the stigma that follows and what it would do to young people trying to navigate their way of experiencing love.

Rated: 5/5

Oct 9, 2023

Full Review

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Josh K

Powerful, beautiful, heartbreaking. This forbidden love story is beautifully filmed and scripted. I love the parent-child drama and the real-ness of the scripting. what a film!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/10/25

Full Review

Mariana R

la quiero mucho maestra adriana usted es cine

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/08/23

Full Review

PridePosterStudios

“We’re gonna be something”

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/26/24

Full Review

Audience Member

I absolutely loved the movie. I would definitely give a rewatch. The colors and the soundtrack absolutely immaculate.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/22/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Very few films capture the human spirit as vividly or as painfully as Rafiki does. Every aspect of the film is an achievement of it's own, whether it be the smart usage of color, background visuals to highlight how characters feel, or even just the heart breaking story it follows. Rafiki had me hooked for every second it was on. By the end, I was spun around by so many emotions, I had no idea how to feel. Angry, sad, and oddly enough hopeful. This is a movie that made my heart cry and sing. What an awesome and timely film; watch it!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Beautifully made film with great acting talent on what is a somewhat standard story but significant for its country of origin.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

12/11/19

Full Review

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Wanuri Kahiu

Director

Samantha Mugatsia

Kena

Sheila Munyiva

Ziki

Jimmi Gathu

John Mwaura

Nini Wacera

Mercy

Dennis Musyoka

Peter Okemi

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Rafiki: Trailer 1

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Rafiki: TIFF Trailer

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Synopsis

Kena and Ziki live very different lives in Nairobi. Kena works in her father's shop and awaits the start of nursing school, while Ziki passes the days hanging out with her friends and making up dance routines. Their paths cross when their fathers run against each other for seats in the County Assembly, and they find themselves drawn to each other. Soon their interest grows to affection and the girls find ways to love each other despite the ever-watching gaze of the neighborhood.

Director: Wanuri Kahiu
Producer: Steven Markovitz, Tamsin Ranger, Wanuri Kahiu
Screenwriter: Wanuri Kahiu, Jenna Cato Bass
Distributor: Film Movement
Production Co: Schortcut Films, Ape&Bjørn AS, Razor Film Produktion GmbH, MPM Film, Afro Bubble Gum production, Big World Cinema, Rinkel Film
Genre: Drama, Romance, LGBTQ+
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 19, 2019, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 13, 2019
Box Office (Gross USA): $137.2K
Runtime: 1h 23m

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