Tag: Rafiki movie

The millions lesbian movie Rafiki made in just seven days after court allowed Kenyans to watch it on cinema 

Posted on by Pauline Syombua

Kenyans were more than excited after court lifted the ban on lesbian movie “Rafiki” for seven days so that it could be illegible for the Oscar Awards nominations.

A movie needs to be first viewed in the country before being submitted for the awards. Although it wasn’t nominated, Supa Modo, another Kenyan film was picked.

Rafiki producer Steven Markovitz has now revealed the movie actually made Ksh 3.3 million in the seven days it was shown to Kenyans.

Good numbers

He also said that over 6500 people watched the movie. Well, that’s not something Ezekiel Mutua will be happy to hear considering how he has been fighting the movie.

“The success of the theatrical release proves that there is a strong commercial market for Rafiki in Kenya. We intend to take this film to other African countries to continue to build the case that quality African films are commercially viable on our own continent. The film will be re-released in Kenya, when permanently unbanned’’ said Rafiki producer Steven Markovitz.

‘A person of sane mind wants to watch girls having sex with other girls?’ Ezekiel Mutua burns with anger after court lifts Rafiki’s ban

Posted on by Pauline Syombua

Moral cop Ezekiel Mutua recently took to social media to curse at people who are happy that the court has allowed lesbian movie Rafiki to be aired locally.

The KFCB boss had banned the film but the court suspended the ban for seven days so that the movie could be aired locally and be submitted for the Oscars.

“So I hear the High Court has temporarily lifted the KFCB ban on the homosexual film “RAFIKI” to allow it to be screened for seven (7) days to fulfil the requirements for nomination to the Oscar’s. Although we have not been served with the orders, we are meant to understand that the lifting of the ban is for seven (7) days and the screening is RESTRICTED to ADULTS only. After 30th of September 2018 the ban by the Board resumes as earlier announced.” he said on Facebook. 

He continued:

It’s a tragedy that anyone in their sane minds think that homosexual content is the one to market Kenya’s film industry in the global market. Films and art in general should reflect the dominant values of the Kenyan people. Homosexuality is not our way of life and is against our values. Anything that threaten or undermines the institution of family, which is derived from a union between two people of the opposite gender must be condemned.
The attempt to normalise homosexuality is akin to air-conditioning hell!”

Blame

Also on Twitter, the boss attacked NGO and other Western companies that he says are trying to push homosexuality to Africans. Here’s what he posted.

 

Ezekiel Mutua’s KFCB in trouble for banning lesbian film ‘Rafiki’

Posted on by Pauline Syombua

Wanuri Kahiu has sued KFCB for banning her film “Rafiki” and now wants Ksh 8.5 million in the lawsuit.

Also, in order to submit the film for the Oscar nomination which has a deadline of September 30, KFCB needs to lift the ban first. The movie needs to be shown in the country first before being submitted for the awards.

According to Kahiu preventing the distribution of Rafiki, the board violated several articles of the constitution that protect free speech and freedom of creative expression.

“If this matter is not certified urgent and heard on a priority basis, it would be rendered nugatory because Ms Kahiu’s film would be left out of the competition,” her lawyers Waikwa Wanyoike and Sofia Rajab-Leteipan were quoted saying.

Not an activist

‘Rafiki’ is the story of two young girls who have a romantic relationship but is strongly condemned and opposed by their families and community. The film became a huge controversy after Ezekiel Mutua, the CEO of the board banned it early this year. Wanuri said she’s just fighting for her creativity to be seen.

“I don’t necessarily consider myself an activist; I truly consider myself a storyteller,” Wanuri said on Sunday at the Toronto International Film Festival, where the film premiered in North America on Thursday.

“But when somebody starts to infringe on your rights to be creative and exercise your work, which becomes a problem. That’s when we decided to push back and take the Classification Board to court,” she was quoted saying.

 

Kenyan film director that Ezekiel Mutua trashed her work joins Oscars Academy

Posted on by Pauline Syombua

‘Rafiki” producer Wanuri Kahiu, a person that Kenya Film Classification Board and Ezekiel Mutua promised to take down after her LGBTQ theme film, seems like is not going any where but all the way up.

The popular producer has now joined top Hollywood personalities to become members of the movie Academy after being picked.

Invite accepted

Taking to Twitter, Wanuri Kahiu, who left many impressed during the 71st annual Cannes Film Festival held from 8 to 19 May 2018, shared that she’s officially a member.

This year, a record number of 928 people have been invited to join the academy. Some of the big-name actors include Daniel Kaluuya, Mindy Kaling, Tiffany Haddish, Kumail Nanjiani, Blake Lively, Amy Schumer, Dave Chappelle, Miles Teller, Randall Park, Daisy Ridley, Timothee Chalamet, Hong Chau, Emilia Clarke, Lena Headey among others.

Rafiki director Wanuri Kahiu hobnobs around with legendary US director Spike Lee 

Posted on by Pauline Syombua

“Rafiki” director Wanuri Kahiu is enjoying the time of her life after her film was given a standing ovation in Cannes Film Festival.

Word also has it that the popular director has now been signed to Hollywood management and production company The Gotham Group.

“Wanuri Kahiu is a prodigiously talented and brilliant woman,” said Ellen Goldsmith-Vein, founder and CEO of The Gotham Group.

“As an advocate for Africans, especially young women, Wanuri has established herself as a major cultural force. That she refused to edit Rafiki in any way to avoid the Kenyan ban is a testament to Wanuri’s courage and commitment to her creative vision.”

Spike Lee

A moment with Spike

After movie was screened at the event, Wanuri and Patrician Kihoro were seen enjoying their night with popular US film director Spike Lee.

For those who don’t know who Lee is and too lazy to google, Lee is a legendary director that has made films such as “She’s Gotta Have It”, “Do the Right Thing.”  “The Original Kings of Comedy” “25th Hour, Inside Man, “Chi-Raq” and the upcoming film “BlacKkKlansman” that has been screen at cannes 2018 event.

Watch the clip below: