Cinema: a documentary on a gay couple censored in Kenya
Peter Murimi's film "I Am Samuel" about a gay couple has been censored in Kenya because it is considered "blasphemous".
© PETER MURIMI / We are not the machine / Handout via REUTERS
Text by: RFI Follow
2 min
In Kenya, a documentary telling a love story between two men is controversial.
As he continues his festival tour, “
I am Samuel
”
was due out soon in Kenya, where homosexuality remains criminalized.
But the government audiovisual regulatory agency announced Thursday, September 23, to ban the screening and broadcast of the documentary in the country, calling it "
blasphemous
".
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With our correspondent in Nairobi
,
Albane Thirouard
I am Samuel
portrays a Kenyan who, after growing up in a rural area, falls in love with Alex in Nairobi.
The film also explores his difficult relationship with his father, who has trouble coming to terms with his son's homosexuality.
For now, only the trailer is visible in Kenya, but we can already see scenes of tenderness between the two men.
What shock the Kenya Film Classification Board, the government agency for audiovisual regulation, which denounced an "
affront to Kenyan culture and identity
".
Broadcast from October on Afridocs
These criticisms are hardly admissible for Peter Murimi, the director and co-producer: “
It's censorship.
The Kenya Film Classification Board prevents us from debating LGBTQ issues.
They want to silence them.
It's a documentary, there is no manipulation, it shows real life, with real people.
All the people in the film are Kenyans.
This film must be seen by the public.
We're going to appeal.
"
To let viewers judge for themselves, the documentary team wanted to make it visible for free on the rest of the continent.
I am Samuel
will therefore be freely available on the
Afridocs streaming platform
from October.
In 2018, the Kenyan authorities had already censored
Rafiki
, a Kenyan fiction telling a love story between two women.
The film was also accused of encouraging homosexuality at the time.
After a legal battle,
Rafiki
was
finally able to air
for a short time in packed theaters.
What to give a little hope to the team of
I am Samuel
.
►Also listen: 7 Billion neighbors - How to promote the rights of LGBT young people?
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