Trivia / Rafiki

• African Literature: Based on the short story Jambula Tree by Ugandan author Monica Arac de Nyeko.
• Banned in China: Banned in Kenya, where the movie takes place and was shot, due to the country's strict anti-homosexuality laws. The director took the Kenyan government to court for it so the film could at least get a limited run in order to qualify for the Academy Awards - and actually won! But then it wasn't selected as Kenya's pick for that year.
• This movie is notable for being, as of 2021, the most recent movie to air on Turner Classic Movies. It aired as part of the fall 2020 "Women Make Film" series highlighting female filmmakers through the years.
• Queer Show Ghetto: By law in Kenya.
• Referenced by...: Yaoi manga Raion Gotoki No Kuni Kara shows Kenyan exchange student having watched a movie about a lesbian couple that is pretty blatantly this one, though the name of the movie is never given.