"Good Kenyan girls become good Kenyan wives," but Kena and Ziki long for something more. When love blossoms between them, the two girls will be forced to choose between happiness and safety.
Director:
Writers:
Awards:
- 19 wins & 26 nominations.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
| Samantha Mugatsia | ... |
Kena Mwaura
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Neville Misati | ... |
Blacksta
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Nice Githinji | ... |
Nduta
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| Charlie Karumi | ... |
Waireri
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Muthoni Gathecha | ... |
Mama Atim
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Vitalis Waweru | ... |
Tom
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| Sheila Munyiva | ... |
Ziki Okemi
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Mellen Aura | ... |
Elizabeth
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Leila Weema | ... |
Elizabeth's Friend
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Jimmy Gathu | ... |
John Mwaura
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Nini Wacera | ... |
Mercy
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Stephen Ruiru | ... |
Motorbike Passenger
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Mburu Kimani | ... |
Delivery Truck Driver
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Githae Njogu | ... |
Pastor
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Dennis Musyoka | ... |
Peter Okemi
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Patricia Amira | ... |
Rose Okemi
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Patricia Kihoro | ... |
Josephine
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Jane Wachu | ... |
Tuktuk Driver
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Priscilla Wanjiku | ... |
Mrs. Machoko
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Mary Wanjiku | ... |
Mrs. Ngugi
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Edwin Owino | ... |
Otemi Rally Leader
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Derrick Assetto | ... |
Police #1
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Juliette Achieng' | ... |
Police #2
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Justin Mirichii | ... |
Security Guard
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Directed by
| Wanuri Kahiu | ||
Written by
| Wanuri Kahiu | ... | (written by) & |
| Jenna Cato Bass | ... | (written by) |
| Monica Arac de Nyeko | ... | (short story "Jambula Tree") |
Produced by
| Claire Gadéa | ... | co-producer (as Claire Gadea) |
| Wanuri Kahiu | ... | co-producer |
| Marie-Pierre Macia | ... | co-producer |
| Steven Markovitz | ... | producer |
| Verona Meier | ... | co-producer |
| Gerhard Meixner | ... | co-producer |
| Ricardo Monastier | ... | co-producer |
| Caroline Ngesa | ... | line producer |
| Roman Paul | ... | co-producer |
| Tamsin Ranger | ... | co-producer |
| Georges Schoucair | ... | co-producer |
| Reinier Selen | ... | co-producer |
| Ruben Thorkildsen | ... | co-producer |
Cinematography by
| Christopher Wessels | ||
Editing by
| Isabelle Dedieu | ||
| Ronelle Loots | ... | (additional editing) |
Editorial Department
| Hessam Binesh | ... | post-production coordinator |
| Corne Gildenhuys | ... | assistant editor |
| Petra Kader-Göbel | ... | post-production producer |
| Alexander Klippe | ... | post-production producer |
| Faith Mumo | ... | assistant editor |
| Louise Mycielski | ... | post production supervisor |
| Danielle Nel | ... | on-line editor |
| Tolke Palm | ... | post-production producer |
| Marie Pascaud | ... | assistant editor |
| Rinskje Raap | ... | post-production coordinator |
| Bianca Rudolph | ... | colorist |
| Thibault Saksik | ... | assistant editor |
| Aaron Kuder | ... | additional on-line editor at arri (uncredited) |
Casting By
| Nini Wacera | ... | original casting director |
Production Design by
| Arya Lalloo | ||
Costume Design by
| Wambui Thimba | ||
Makeup Department
| Suki Kibunguri | ... | makeup artist |
| Venessa Ochieng | ... | assistant makeup artist |
| Carol Sunday | ... | hair stylist |
Production Management
| Kate Mumbua | ... | production manager |
| Fabien Trampont | ... | post-production supervisor |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Patricia Geula | ... | assistant to director (as Patricia Guela) |
| Kym Kariuki | ... | third assistant director |
| Chris Kimunya | ... | second assistant director |
| Cathy Poole | ... | first assistant director |
Art Department
| Neha Manoj Shah | ... | assistant production designer |
Sound Department
| Harald Ansorge | ... | head audio technician / sound |
| Adrian Baumeister | ... | dialogue editor / re-recording mixer |
| Tobias Bilz | ... | dialogue editor |
| Noemi Hampel | ... | sound designer |
| Carren Jumba | ... | assistant sound |
| Eric Musyoka | ... | adr engineer |
| Simeon Pabst | ... | dialogue editor |
| Fabrice Philip | ... | boom operator |
| Katarzyna Placzkowska | ... | foley editor |
| Frédéric Salles | ... | sound recordist |
| Filip Stefanowski | ... | foley mixer |
| Jacek Wisniewski | ... | foley artist |
Stunts
| Lwanda Jawar | ... | stunt coordinator |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Mike Chege | ... | first assistant camera |
| Lawrence Kimani | ... | assistant camera |
| Joseph Churu Methu | ... | gaffer |
| Jenny Muigai | ... | second assistant camera |
| Julian Oburu | ... | lighting assistant (creditOnly) |
| Victor Oluoch | ... | dit |
| Marius van Graan | ... | additional camera |
Casting Department
| Irene Kariuki | ... | extras casting |
| Leila Weema | ... | casting assistant |
Location Management
| Christopher Kiilu | ... | location manager |
| Arthur Sanya Muiruri | ... | assistant location manager (as Arthur Muiruri) / assistant location manager: Arthur Sanya |
Music Department
| Simon Ratcliffe | ... | mastering engineer |
Script and Continuity Department
| Danni Karanja | ... | script supervisor (as Danny Karanja) |
Additional Crew
| Ashleigh da Silva | ... | production assistant |
| Elisabeth Hesemans | ... | acting coach |
| Eugene Ikua | ... | production trainee |
| Faith Kaluva | ... | production assistant |
| Soni Kamau | ... | production coordinator |
| Soni Kamu | ... | production coordinator |
| Hippolyte Lykavieris | ... | production coordinator |
| Nelson Mandela | ... | production assistant |
| Ricardo Monastier | ... | Sales Representative |
| Emmanuel Muyaka | ... | unit assistant |
| Njoki Nyoli | ... | production assistant |
| John Olweny | ... | unit assistant |
| Jeske van der Slikke | ... | production coordinator |
Thanks
| Natalya Petrosova | ... | special thanks |
Production Companies
- Big World Cinema
- MPM Film (co-production)
- Schortcut Films (co-production)
- Ape&Bjørn (co-production)
- Rinkel Film (co-production)
- Razor Film Produktion GmbH (co-production)
- Tango Entertainment (II) (in association with)
- Tango Entertainment (in association with)
- Schortcut Films (co-production)
Distributors
- Météore Films (2018) (France) (theatrical)
- trigon-film (2018) (Switzerland)
- Film Movement (2018) (United States) (theatrical)
- Cinemien (2019) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
- Edition Salzgeber (2019) (Germany) (theatrical)
- Olhar Distribuição (2019) (Brazil) (theatrical)
- Senlis (2019) (Japan) (theatrical)
- Lesflicks (2019) (United Kingdom) (digital)
- Salzgeber & Company Medien (2019) (Germany) (DVD)
- The Criterion Channel (2020) (United States) (tv) (digital)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- Freeway CAM B.V. (collection account management)
- Picture Motion (Impact Producer)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
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. Inspried by Monica Arac de Nyeko's "Jambula Tree", which chronicles a story of two girls in love in Uganda, "Rafiki" challenges deep rooted cynicism about same sex relationships among actors, crew, friends, and family in Kenya. Written by sydsauce |
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| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
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Additional Details
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Did You Know?
| Trivia | Since homosexuality is illegal in Kenya, the lesbian love story was banned by the country's film classification board, but the director won a week's suspension of the ban in September of 2018 from the Kenyan high Court, so that locals could see it in theatres there for a brief period. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in Top 10 Most Romantic LGBTQ+ Moments in Movies (2021). See more » |
| Soundtracks | Stay See more » |