In a rather unexpected turn, Wanuri Kahiu, the award winning film director behind controversial film ‘Rafiki’, is flourishing abroad at a time when everything looked nothing but bleak back home after Kenya Film Board banned Rafiki.
According to regulatory body Kenya Film Classification Board, the movie, which is based on a lesbian love story, was too risqué and had to be banned because of it’s strong homosexuality theme.
Abroad, however, things are different and the film is getting lots of acclaim and became the first Kenyan film to be screened at the Cannes International Film Festival.
Building on the international buzz her film is getting, Wanuri today announced on her twitter account that she has signed with The Gotham Group, a Hollywood management and production company in Hollywood, California.
“Wanuri Kahiu is a prodigiously talented and brilliant woman,” said Ellen Goldsmith-Vein, founder and CEO of The Gotham Group.
“As an advocate for Africans, especially young women, Wanuri has established herself as a major cultural force. That she refused to edit Rafiki in any way to avoid the Kenyan ban is a testament to Wanuri’s courage and commitment to her creative vision.”
This happened…. https://t.co/Z06Ekt3rIC
— Wanuri (@wanuri) May 17, 2018
A contract from Gotham Group is a big deal. The company is behind big movies such as ‘Spiderwick Chronicles’ and the ‘Maze Runner franchise’.
Things only seem to be getting better for the Rafiki director, who also shared on her twitter meeting and the legendary Spike Lee. Who was equally excited to be meeting her as well.
“In our difficult times, and I say this despite the serious themes in much of my work, I also believe film – and television – needs images of joy and frivolity as well,” said Kahiu a founder of co-founder of Afrobubblegun.
“My hope is that the whole dimension of the human spirit, in Africa and around the world, be reflected in my work.”
Perhaps Rafiki being banned was a blessing in disguise.
So yeah, @wanuri just loosely goofing off with @SpikeLee has made me happy on so many levels. #WaCannesDa is popping you guys! pic.twitter.com/MvmfndAM6S
— Patricia Kihoro (@Misskihoro) May 16, 2018
