Kahiu’s Rafiki movie is a salvo regarding an ongoing cultural conflict in Kenya over the rights of the LGBTQ community. It seems difficult to judge or describe the main intentions of the movie in general. The cultural norm of homosexuality is illegal in Kenya, as those found culpable are incarcerated for fourteen years. This explains why the film was banned on its debut. As a cultural and romantic drama, the movie turns out to be conservative in portraying society’s pressure. This discussion post highlights the five faces of oppression portrayed in the film.
First, Kahiu is keen on demonstrating how various age cohorts are exploited in society. Kena and Ziki, who are the main characters, face oppression through exploitation. Their families do not understand how the young generation interacts. For instance, their parents play political and business roles to the extent of affecting the personal lives of their daughters. Second, these two characters are facing marginalization as a result of their sexual orientation. A prime example of this type of oppression is when Kena is rarely seen going out with their fellow young women due to her homosexual tendencies.
Powerlessness is another significant theme delineated in Rafiki. Kena and Ziki, for example, are restricted from being seen together in public. Moreover, these two teenagers, who represent people of a unique sexual orientation, face cultural imperialism. The reason is that they live in a society that prevents them from expressing the contemporary notions of sexuality (Kahiu, 2018). Finally, the two protagonists live under perpetual threat and, in some instances, are oppressed through violence. When the two lovers are caught together in their secret love spot, they are assaulted by the angry villagers.
Rafiki is, indeed, a riveting melodrama in which the main characters, Rena and Ziki, try to debunk different stereotypes regarding homosexuality. Kahiu has successively unveiled the consequences of defying the heteronormative society, especially in a developing country. As portrayed in this movie, the society people live in often criminalizes norms that are perceived as unconventional and unfavorable. To conclude, the LGBTQ community should be allowed to freely express their sexuality.
Reference
Kahiu, W. (2018). Rafiki [Film]. Big World Cinema.