An LGBTQ love story that was banned in its home country is coming to the screen at Massey Theatre.
Rafiki is screening on Monday, Feb. 24 as part of the Arts Council of New Westminster’s Last Mondays at the Movies film series.
It tells the story of two Kenyan girls who live very different lives in Nairobi. Kena (Samantha Mugatsia) works in her father’s shop and awaits the start of nursing school, while Ziki (Sheila Munyiva) passes the days hanging out with her friends and making up dance routines.
Their paths cross when their fathers run against each other for seats in the County Assembly, and they find themselves drawn to each other. The movie follows the girls as they find ways to love each other despite the ever-watching gaze of the neighbourhood.
The movie was banned by the Kenya Film Classification Board because of its lesbian content, but the Kenyan High Court later allowed the film to the screened in the country for seven days to allow it to meet eligibility requirements for the Academy Awards’ Best Foreign Language Film category.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for the 7 p.m. screening.
Tickets are $9 general admission, or $8 for students and seniors. You can buy in advance at www.ticketsnw.ca or at the door (cash only).
See www.acnw.ca/movies for all the details.
