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Parents' Guide to

Rafiki

By Kat Halstead, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Queer coming-of-age Kenyan drama; some violence, language.

Movie NR 2019 83 minutes
Rafiki Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 18+

Based on 1 parent review

SC2022
SC2022 Parent of 13-year-old
April 1, 2023
age 18+
Incredibly moving, imported, and beautiful movie, however the violence was very intense. Hate crimes and the terror of mob behavior fueled by homophobia was terribly upsetting. If you have religious trauma, it also could be very triggering
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

In RAFIKI, Kena (Samantha Mugatsia) spends her time playing football with the boys and studying to become a doctor. Ziki (Sheila Munyiva) makes up dance routines with her friends and dreams of traveling the world. When the two lock eyes, a friendship begins, which slowly blossoms into a romance. But with their fathers going head to head in a local election, and with homophobic views surrounding them on all sides, they must try to keep their relationship a secret in order to survive.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (1 ):
Kids say (1 ):

This moving drama made quite an impact on release, in no small part due to its being banned in its home country of Kenya for "its homosexual theme and clear intent to promote lesbianism." When Rafiki was finally screened in Kenya -- for just seven days -- it played to sold-out audiences, and found similar success traveling the festival circuit, where the strong central performances and beautiful direction and cinematography were universally praised.

The story itself is not unusual: it's coming-of-age, it's first love, it's exploring sexual identity in a forbidden environment, it's star-crossed lovers and warring families. Yet the film is blissfully unique in its sense of place and atmosphere of floating just outside of reality. Bustling streets, music and dance, and vivid colors -- particularly the rich pinks and purples displayed in free-spirited Ziki's braided hair -- create a candy-colored escape amid the confinements of religion and tradition. Above all the movie is a celebration of the rebellion against the everyday, against what is expected, against becoming the "ordinary Kenyan girls" the main characters pledge never to be.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the way attitudes toward gender and sexuality affect the characters in Rafiki. Why do you think Kena and Ziki face such bigotry? How do they show courage in the face of it? What can be done to help prevent and combat homophobia and other types of prejudice?

  • Discuss some of the language used. Did it seem necessary, or excessive? What did it contribute to the movie? How did some of the language make you feel when you heard it?

  • Talk about the violence in the movie. How did it make you feel? What do you understand about the term "hate crime"?

  • Forbidden love is a popular theme in movies. How did this story compare to other "forbidden love" films you have seen?

  • Discuss the use of color in the movie. What feelings did it evoke? What do you think it represents?

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