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  • 2019
  • Film Movement
  • 1 h 23 m
  • 2019
  • Film Movement
  • 1 h 23 m

Summary Bursting with the colorful street style & music of Nairobi’s vibrant youth culture, Rafiki is a tender love story between two young women in a country that still criminalizes homosexuality. Kena and Ziki have long been told that “good Kenyan girls become good Kenyan wives” - but they yearn for something more. Despite the political rivalr...

Directed By: Wanuri Kahiu

Written By: Jenna Cato Bass, Monica Arac de Nyeko, Wanuri Kahiu

  • 2019
  • Film Movement
  • 1 h 23 m
  • 2019
  • Film Movement
  • 1 h 23 m

Rafiki

Metascore Generally Favorable Based on 17 Critic Reviews
68
User Score Generally Favorable Based on 6 User Ratings
7.0
My Score
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Where to Watch

Summary Bursting with the colorful street style & music of Nairobi’s vibrant youth culture, Rafiki is a tender love story between two young women in a country that still criminalizes homosexuality. Kena and Ziki have long been told that “good Kenyan girls become good Kenyan wives” - but they yearn for something more. Despite the political rivalr...

Directed By: Wanuri Kahiu

Written By: Jenna Cato Bass, Monica Arac de Nyeko, Wanuri Kahiu

Where to Watch

Top Cast

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Critic Reviews

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Metascore
Generally Favorable Based on 17 Critic Reviews
68
76% Positive
13 Reviews
24% Mixed
4 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews

Critic Reviews

 View All
Metascore
Generally Favorable Based on 17 Critic Reviews
68
76% Positive
13 Reviews
24% Mixed
4 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
83
Apr 16, 2019
This is a contemporary slice of life drama that provides its central characters the agency with which to choose the existence they desire regardless of what cultural, societal, or familial traditions demand. These women aren’t merely bucking against the religious norms of gendered relationships, but the patriarchy at-large. They are here to be more than wives and mothers.
By Jared Mobarak FULL REVIEW
75
Apr 19, 2019
To feel seen is a potent, potentially life-changing emotion, and only those who were never in the dark would have a moral problem with it. Rafiki makes this serious point quite effectively, never losing its ebullience.
By Odie Henderson FULL REVIEW
70
Apr 18, 2019
This is a love story for the time, not for the ages.
By Ben Kenigsberg FULL REVIEW
70
May 19, 2018
Kahiu gives the film a brightness and vibrancy that works to counterbalance the perilous waters into which Kena and Ziki are venturing.
By Steve Pond FULL REVIEW
65
May 19, 2018
If the film is uneven—with such an exuberant beginning and disappointingly rote climax—that may simply be because Kahiu wanted to communicate as many truths of her home country as she could.
By Richard Lawson FULL REVIEW
60
May 19, 2018
Its lead protagonists and their endless reserve of raw, bittersweet chemistry are Kahiu’s greatest asset.
By Emily Yoshida FULL REVIEW
60
May 19, 2018
While the premise of Rafiki is well-worn, the context of the film is not and Kahiu brings fresh zest to a familiar story which is told with spirit.
By Joe Walsh FULL REVIEW

User Reviews

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User Score
Generally Favorable Based on 6 User Ratings
7.0
67% Positive
4 Ratings
33% Mixed
2 Ratings
0% Negative
0 Ratings

User Reviews

 View All
User Score
Generally Favorable Based on 6 User Ratings
7.0
67% Positive
4 Ratings
33% Mixed
2 Ratings
0% Negative
0 Ratings

There are no user reviews yet. Be the first to add a review.

Details

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Production Company Big World Cinema, MPM Film, Schortcut Films, Ape&Bjørn, Rinkel Film, Razor Film Produktion GmbH, Tango Entertainment (II), Tango Entertainment, Schortcut Films
Release Date Apr 19, 2019
Duration 1 h 23 m
Genres
Website https://www.rafikimovie.com/
View All Details

Awards

African Movie Academy Awards
• 2 Wins & 10 Nominations
Carthage Film Festival
• 2 Wins & 3 Nominations
Kingston Reelout Film Festival
• 1 Win & 3 Nominations

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