#afrobubblegum

[oldtvandcomics]

Happy Queer Media Monday!

Today: Rafiki (2018) (Title translates to: “Friend”)

This is going to be one of the more spectacular ones. Buckle up!

(Ziki braiding Kena’s hair.)

Rafiki is a 2018 Kenyan movie. The plot is a fairly simple coming-of-age romance. It is about two teenage girls, Ziki and Kena, who, despite their fathers competing against each other in local elections, quickly form a close bond that develops into a romance.

It is, despite the homophobia underlying the society it exists in, a very sweet and joyful movie. It is very colorful, and has all the hopefulness of two young women who just start out in life. Also, and it IS very much not a given, the movie has a hopeful ending.

Where it gets interesting: Homosexuality is illegal in Kenya, punishable by 14 years prison. The Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) ruled that this movie was too positive in its depiction of gayness, claiming that it “promoted lesbianism”. As a consequence, they banned it, and warned everyone that even possessing it would be a break of the law. This caused international outrage, and the director Wanuri Kahiu suing the Kenyan government for infringement of her free speech. You can find the whole drama in detail via articles in the source section of the Wikipedia article, or a shorter version here.

Kahui’s main argument was that she wanted to submit her film to the Oscars, but couldn’t do so if it didn’t screen in Kenya, and since Kenya has freedom of speech, she should be allowed to submit her movie to the Oscars, hence they couldn’t ban her from screening it. She won the lawsuit, and the ban was lifted for a week. At this point, enough people had heard of the controversy that there was a large popular interest, and theaters had to add extra screenings.

Rafiki didn’t end up winning anything, as in the end, Kenya submitted another movie in the Foreign Language Film category. Even so, I find this one of the most amazing and definitely one of the most inspiring stories that went down in the film world in recent years. I am European, but even I was following this story through articles shared on social media. And of course I went to see it in the cinema, when it aired here.

You can find a trailer here, and an interview with director Wanuri Kahiu here. Seriously, watch it, she’s amazing. The movie appears to be on Amazon Prime.

Queer Media Monday is an action I started to talk about some important and/or interesting parts of our queer heritage, that people, especially young people who are only just beginning to discover the wealth of stories out there, should be aware of. Please feel free to join in on the fun and make your own posts about things you personally find important!

[jonahdeforest]

Rafiki Response

Rafiki is film filled with highly-saturated imagery, a neon-hued palette of "afrobubblegum" (as characterized in Lyn Johnstone's comprehensive academic paper, "Queer Worldmaking in Wanuri Kahiu’s Film Rafiki"). One scene stood out to me, in part because it both typifies and stands in contrast to the confectious shots established by writer-director Wanuri Kahiu. Towards the end of the film, Ziki (Sheila Munyiva) is held by her mother (Patricia Amira) on the heels of a homophobic attack. There is a pink glow that illuminates their embrace as Ziki is held from the back while facing the camera. Previously, such lighting choices have indicated a queer utopia between the central love interests. In this context, it seems to represent the rubble of that utopia's downfall. In conjunction with Ziki's high-femme appearance, one also gets the sense that these stylistic choices indicate a rumination on the fragility of mother-daughter dynamics. In class, we discussed the idea that mothers feel their daughters are extensions of themselves. As such, a betrayal of femininity is a perceived as failure on the mother's part. Motherhood is so closely linked to one's womanhood, making these dynamics especially charged. All these factors seem to be at play in this scene; a heartbreaking tableau of all that goes unspoken.

@theuncannyprofessoro

[tumamek]

Wanuri Kahiu's 'Rafiki' took the world by storm since its premiere at Cannes Film Festival in 2018—the first Kenyan film to be invited to the prestigious festival. We sit down with the director where she touches on the inspiration behind the film, the continued challenge to lift the ban on 'Rafiki' in her home country, Afrobubblegum and more.

[artbyjebetnaava]

Collaborative project

Edits: Jebet Naava

Photography: Onyango Odhiambo

Subjects: @bussa_j , @afro.maniac, @_ngugi_wairimu

(please don’t remove credits)

[heywhereartthou]

Filmmaker and AfroBubbleGum Founder Wanuri Kahiu tells light-hearted stories that showcase African countries in a fun and fantastical way. She calls this "AfroBubbleGum Art" — art that's “fierce, fun, and frivolous, as frivolous as bubblegum." In this, she finds importance in painting a more comprehensive portrait of African countries that doesn't only focus on political and social ills. Learn more by peeping her TED Talk here: http://bit.ly/2xDOBPj.  

(1st video and illustrations via AfroBubbleGum and final video via @globalbella on Instagram)

[flying-elliska]

in the continuation of my watching all the wlw movies i can moment, I watched Rafiki (2019) by Wanuri Kahiu. The movie takes place in Nairobi and is the story of the teenage daughters of two rival politicians who fall in love with each other. Overall, I really loved it. 

My favorite part is definitely the beginning, seeing their crush develop ; the two actresses have amazing chemistry, they are so sweet with each other and so obvious with their feelings. It’s all about the hesitating glances and shy contagious smiles and dreaming of a future wider than what is expected of them. The aesthetics are pastel and pink and sunhaze, ‘Afrobubblegum’ according to the filmmaker, and it gives the movie a dreamy feel full of joy that feels very fitting to first love. The music is also awesome. The film also makes a very slice of life sketch of the complicated web of relationships that surround them. The movie isn’t very dialogue heavy, it’s more of a mood than a scripted story ; but the protagonists are still compelling. Kena, who is more tomboyish and shy, finds herself struggling between her two divorced parents but is still fiercely protective of her mother and obviously very caring. Ziki is more feminine, hotheaded - she wants to be ‘different from the others’ and likes to dress in bright colors and dance in the streets, encourages Kena to dream big and become a doctor herself instead of marrying one. And I love how observant the film is of little details - the cupcake ! the dripping clothes ! the sodas ! the bougainvillea covered van ! Ziki’s beautiful pastel locks ! the shimmery beaded curtains ! all the glances and little smiles and pauses ! - and has such a strong sense of place. It turns such a loving, tender gaze on its main couple. 

The movie turns towards drama, previsibly given the homophobic context they live in - homosexuality being criminalized in Kenya, and this movie ended up being banned there because the filmmaker refused to change the happy-ish ending. It’s hard to see but it’s not hopeless ; there is some violence and ostracization but Kena’s father still somehow supports his daugther, refusing to cast her aside to save his political bid (that made me really emo). And the ending isn’t very specific, we know they have tough times ahead, but it’s still hopeful, and that is so important, to envision this as a possibility. 

The movie has been critized for being too simple. And it’s true that I would have appreciated a few more conversations between the protagonists to flesh out their relationship a bit more. But really, the mood of joy and loveliness that is the main takeaway from this movie feels so brave and life affirming. I’m so annoyed by those reviews who can’t seem to appreciate a lgbt movie unless it’s some existential prestige drama with excruciating suffering and deep truths about the universe for straight people to feel deep and edgy. I think this movie was clearly made to show the absurdity of all the hate compared to the sweet, happy innocence of the girls’ love. That in itself is groundbreaking. It’s also nice to see a movie set in Africa that isn’t all gloom and doom and misery, I wanna see more of those. But I just feel like tropes - opposing families, love at first sight, candlelight dates - really are not that cliché when they’re used for this demographic, instead they feel normalizing and that’s so important. The love between the girls feels simple, natural, like it just flows, and that’s the way it should be. 

[nyahdn]

Fun, fierce and fantastical African art | Wanuri Kahiu

[summerfevers]

"What would it take for us to try to make the beginning, or end, of this podcast be AfroBubbleGum?"

"The end would always have to be hopeful. Always. That's it. And the rest of it should be filled with joy."

-Pindrop Episode Two: Nairobi

[wallpaperpainter]

The Truth About Easy Fall Paintings Is About To Be Revealed | Easy Fall Paintings

According to Nairobi-based director, producer, and columnist Wanuri Kahiu, African art bare a blow of fun, fierceness, and frivolity. Too often, she says, the belief that appear out of the abstemious are “limited to war, poverty, and devastation.” So Kahui cofounded an aesthetic movement alleged AFROBUBBLEGUM that flies in the face of those stereotypes. AFROBUBBLEGUM includes the assignment of abounding artists in a array of mediums, including Kahui’s blur Rafiki, which follows the adventure of Kena and Ziki, two women in Kenya who abatement in adulation admitting the political animosity amid their families and the bourgeois association in which they live.

Host of the TED podcast Pindrop, Saleem Reshamwala, batten with Kahui about the movement, and how Africa and Africans are portrayed about the world. This account has been edited for accuracy and length.

AFROBUBBLEGUM is fun, fierce, and barmy African art. It’s art for art’s sake. It’s art for the account of joy. I acquainted that we were missing out on actuality blissful and acceptance ourselves to be blissful because so often, abnormally back you adjudge to become an artisan from this ancillary of the world, instead of actuality article added serious, like a doctor or advocate or whatever your ancestors expects of you. Our belief are never about joy. And if we don’t see ourselves as bodies of joy, how do we apperceive we’re worthy? If seeing

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[flowerchild304]

Week 11: What Up When It Ain’t in the US?

“Rafiki”

Wanuri Kahiu’s “Rafiki” is about a young girl named Kena who lives in Nairobi, Kenya whose father is campaigning in the local election. Kena notices a girl with colorful, Ziki, who just so happens to be the daughter of her father’s political rival, and begins to flirt with her. After Ziki’s friends attack Kena, Ziki takes her home to help with her wounds. Ziki’s mother catches them kissing and they both run away. Gossip around town exposes where the two have been hiding and are chased by an angry mob.

This film explores the struggles for the fight for LGBTQ+ rights in Kenya and the persecution that these people face for expressing their gender and sexual identity. The two women are arrested for their sexuality which is not only prevalent in Kenya but in other parts of the world where people who are part of the LGBTQ+ community are charged as criminals and can be sentenced to prison or death. 

This film also showcases a new form of film making called “Afrobubblegum,” which, according to Julie MacArthur in the film’s review, is “ African art that is allowed to be fun and flirty, confident and complex, without the burden of being issue-driven.” This film was censored and banned from premiering in Kenya because of its “normalization” of homosexuality. However, this has paved the way for debates and discussions on cultural representation, as well as censorship in specific countries that ban homosexual content such as Kenya.

“Four Moons”

Sergio Tovar Velarde’s “Four Moons” is a Mexican film that explores four interwoven stories about homosexuality. One story is about a young boy, Mauricio, who secretly has a crush on his cousin, Oliver. When Oliver comes over, Mauricio asks Oliver if he’s circumcised, and asks to see and touch it. At school, Oliver and his friends call him a faggot and bully, which leads to the principal calling both of their parents and outing Mauricio. Other stories follow an old man who cruises in bath houses, two college friends who take their friendship to the next level, and a committed couple whose relationship is put to the test when a new man comes in. 

“The Way He Looks”

Daniel Ribeiro’s “The Way He Looks” is a Portuguese movie based on the short film “I Don’t Want to Go Back Alone”. The film follows blind high school student Leo and new student Gabriel. Gabriel becomes friends with Leo and Giovana and slowly helps Leo with his daily activities that Giovana would normally help with. Leo eventually develops romantic feelings for Gabriel. 

This movie takes place in Brazil, where anti-LGBTQ violence used to be at an all time high, being rated as one of the countries where the most gay people are killed. This film shows how anti-gay violence has dwindled, otherwise the reactions towards Leo’s sexuality would have been more negative. This film also showcases sexuality among people with disabilities, which is typically not seen in queer US films. 

[soila-le-kariuki]

Festivals are amazing especially when you have a crazy theme to dress up to ,making your creative juices flow.

I attended one of the best festivals in the country sorry for posting about it a month later .

Africa Nouveau is a music & arts festival congregating creators, curators & fans from all over Africa & it’s diaspora.

The 2019 edition was a chance to step into a new dimension and explore the theme, ‘Africans and Outer World Beings’ 

Over the course of three days and three nights, we explored these ideas through music, dance, art, film, and fashion created by African Futurists.  Based firmly in the Afrobubblegum ethos of fun, fierce, frivolous and fantastical. The festival seeks to produce hopeful and joyful ways of imagining Africans and their link to the worlds around them. Artists and audiences were encouraged to imagine space, outer world beings and time through an African lens and add that narrative to the existing Western ideologies.

I got to attend the festival on day 2 and day 3 .The experience was nothing like i have ever had before it was out of this world amazing.

The ‘Africans and outer world beings’ theme was so crazy that at first i had no idea of what to wear .

Day 2 look

On day 2 i went for a very simple look since i was working (modelling) at the event .I wore a simple school girl outfit something comfy enough for me to move around as we changed sets.Day 3 on the other hand was my best and most creative day,I just woke up picked a basic outfit and went all Afro star wars on it ,is that even a thing? lol!

Day 3 Photo by @simplykech

Model squad from left Me,Lucqo,Sharrone,Clara photo by @simplykech

I also photographed some of my favorite faces from the event

Fashion blogger @justkaninte

Model @sharonneotieno

Make up artist @kalekyekyee

Make up artist @_denniskaruri

My favorite from model and content creator @sandy.joan

We had so much fun dancing to great music and great food/drinks.

There was so much I didn’t cover on this event but you can see more on   Sandy’s Youtube channel

Thanks for stopping by XO

Africa Nouveau Festival 2019 Festivals are amazing especially when you have a crazy theme to dress up to ,making your creative juices flow.

[lindsaydawnful]

NOUVEAU TRIBE 6/9 #HUAWEIP10 #AFRICANOUVEAU #AFROBUBBLEGUM

[bongosawa]

Africa Nouveau Festival is a 2days & 2night festival designed to showcase the most innovative, cutting edge, trend setting art forms, all created for the fun of it. It is unlike any other experience you have had in Kenya! Fun, fierce & fantastical! Come visit our stand on Feb 2nd to 4th. #AfricaNouveau #EastAfricaArts #AfroBubbleGum #AfricaNow #InternationalAfriCans #TIA (This Is Africa) #MadeInAfrica (at Africa/Nairobi)

[jpopitunes]

Notre Dame Fighting Irish Best Mom Ever Shirt

Notre Dame Fighting Irish Best Mom Ever Shirt

In private, shy Kena (Samantha Mugatsia) and flamboyant, rainbow-haired Ziki (Sheila Munyiva) live in a Nairobi of color, joy and romance, making out in a van overgrown with flowers and dancing under a blacklight in a neon nightclub   all in keeping with director Wanuri Kahiu’s eye-popping, self-styled ‘Afrobubblegum’ aestheNotre Dame Fighting Irish Best Mom Ever Shirt .But their story is…

[shipsatsea]

Wanuri Kahiu is a Kenyan director, quite famous in the United States for her TED Talk, Fun, Fierce, and Fantastical art: AfroBubblegum. Her message calls African artist to tell light frivolous stories about the continent as that will be one way of healing. Rafiki features the story of two women who fall in love in Kenya where homophobia is prevalent and same-sex intimacy, illegal. With gorgeous and vibrant cinematography Nairobi's political and cultural essence is captured. While the film remains banned in Kenya, it has received international acclaim.