It was banned in Kenya due to its subject matter featuring a lesbian couple. Via a lawsuit against the Kenyan government, the film’s director, Wanuri Kahiu, was able to win a temporary lift of the ban so the film could be eligible for Oscars contention. The film was also the first Kenyan film to screen at the Cannes Film Festival.

As Joi Childs wrote for S&A in her TIFF review of the film, “It’s undoubtedly a shame that the film’s home country wasn’t initially willing to acknowledge the beauty of Rafiki‘s depictions of lesbian love and countless other real-life same-sex relationships. Kahiu’s film reinforces that being who you are and loving in spite of the opinions of others is still a revolutionary act.”

Look Both Ways