FORBIDDEN LOVE

SHEILA MUNYIVA, ONE OF THE STARS OF LESBIAN ROMANCE RAFIKI, TELLS WHO ABOUT THE CONTROVERSY SURROUNDING THE KENYAN FILM

Teenage girls Kena Mwara and Ziki Okemi have an undeniable chemistry, but their connection is at odds with the attitudes of their loved ones and the laws of their home country, Kenya, where homosexuality remains illegal and punishable by imprisonment. Their romantic yet tragic story is told in the movie Rafiki (now on SBS On Demand), which was initially banned by the Kenya Film Classification Board, but made waves at the Cannes Film Festival when it screened there in 2018. WHO caught up with Sheila Munyiva, who plays Ziki, opposite Samantha Mugatsia’s Kena, and the Kenyan actress opened up about being a part of the controversial film, her family’s reaction to the chaotic ride since Rafiki’s release and why she will always stand up for the LGBTQI community.

How did you feel when you heard Rafiki was banned in Kenya?

I was shocked. Because the same person who banned the film was the first person who ever publicly spoke about the film. A couple of days before, he praised the film, saying it is a true reflection of Kenyan society and calling the director, Wanuri Kahiu, a national treasure. What happened after that?

The film was banned for seven days and a court ruling unbanned it so we could be eligible for the Oscars. We sold out every single screening in every single theatre. In fact, they accommodated all the people outside who were refusing to leave until they’d watched the film. They had to open more cinema halls. Once people watched the film, my goodness, the response was out of this world. Kenyans really loved and appreciated the film. We had a lot of LGBTQI organisations buy out entire theatres for anyone in the queer community who wanted to watch the film but didn’t have means to pay for a ticket or who couldn’t get caught being at the film.

How did your family react to the film?

I have been very lucky and very supported, and just celebrated in my family for having the courage even to make the film.

Growing up, did you know any LGBTQI people?

I used to have a very close friend, and we were kids, so I didn’t really understand much, but he was fabulous, for lack of a better word. There were these little things about him that I thought were very different to other boys and I think I loved him more because of that.

Why was it important for you to take this role?

I am able to offer a positive voice when it comes to queer life, queer art and literally just fighting for LGBTQI rights everywhere.

I get stopped and people are like, “You did such a beautiful job. Thank you so much.”

I’m so grateful I get to also speak about the film, because it goes with the positivity and tenderness shown in the film itself.