Film enthusiasts in Kenya can now see the highly anticipated LGBT themed film, Rafiki as the High Court has lifted the ban temporarily so as to enable the film be submitted for consideration at the 2019 Academy Awards.
Directed by Wanuri Kahiu, Rafiki was banned by the Kenya Film Classification Board because it went against the law by “promoting lesbianism.” However, this didn’t stop the film as it went ahead to have its premiere at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. Kahiu however filed a lawsuit against the board on September 11, claiming that the ban violated her constitutional right to free speech.
Buzzfeed is reporting that the judge that lifted the ban, Justice Wilfrida Okwany said in her ruling that “I am not convinced that Kenya is such a weak society that its moral foundation will be shaken by seeing such a film.”
Kahiu shared the news on Twitter:
I am crying. In a french airport. In SUCH Joy! Our constitution is STRONG! Give thanks to freedom of expression!!!! WE DID IT! We will be posting about Nairobi screening soon. Follow @rafikimovie
— Wanuri (@wanuri) September 21, 2018
This is indeed great news. Check out the trailer for Rafiki below.
