Keywords
cinema do Quênia
cinema queer
afrobubblegum
Rafiki Wanuri Kahiu
Kenyan cinema
queer cinema
afrobubblegum
Rafiki
How to Cite
Accepted 2023-11-20
Published 2023-12-22
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Abstract
In this article, we propose to analyze Wanuri Kahiu's contributions to African queer cinema. We will discuss how in Rafiki (2018), only her second feature film as director, Kahiu presents and aesthetically develops the premises of an Afrobubblegum art proposed by her, in order to portray, in a context of hope and new possibilities, the experience of being queer in a heterosexist Africa. To this end, the research will resort to works such as those by Diawara (2007, 2010) and Adichie (2009) in order to demonstrate how the director's aesthetic proposal aims to counter predominantly pessimistic views that cinema projects regarding African countries. Additionally, we will explore the Kenyan director's story of struggle and resistance to see her film reach the screens in her country of birth and the importance that the screening of this work in Kenyan cinemas had as a moment of celebration of the existence of queer people in Africa. These discussions will be conducted based on contributions such as those from Louro (2008) and Green-Simms (2022) regarding the importance of queer cinema creating stories that show resistance and hope in the face of oppressive realities.
References
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