Female Film Critics 24/375
The word rafiki means “friend” in Swahili. Kenyan same-sex couples often have to refer to or introduce their partners as rafiki in public, and to many of their friends and family. One of the best qualities of this film is that the lead characters, while clearly drawn to each other, genuinely want to get to know each other, and to build their love on a foundation of friendship.
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Friday, March 29 through Sunday, March 31, the 2019 African Film Festival celebrates its fourteenth year with four remarkable feature film programs, each with an introductory short. Festival founder Wilmetta Toliver-Diallo endeavors to “increase dynamic conversations about the African continent” by highlighting contemporary artistic African productions while also “combating stereotypes.”
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When the credits rolled and the lights came up at the end of her film’s premiere in the Palais des Festival, director Wanuri Kahiu stood next to her lead actresses Samantha Mugatsia and Sheila Munyiva, all dressed in off-white outfits, taking in the acclaim of a standing ovation. Someone in the audience shouted, ‘Thank you!’ and Kahiu put her hand over her heart.
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