The Kenya Film and Classification Board (KFCB) has banned comedy-drama film Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan.
According to KFCB boss Dr Ezekiel Mutua, Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan is illegal as it openly attempts to legitimize same-sex marriage contrary to Kenya’s constitution.
“This movie is an affront to the Kenyan constitution, laws and culture as well as our society’s firm belief in the sacrosanct institution of family. According to our laws and constitution, family is the basic unit of society and is derived from a union between two people of the opposite gender," read a section of the statement dated February 21.
Dr Mutua noted that the film whose titles translates to Extra Careful Marriage was an affront to what he said was Kenya's cultural identity.
“According to Section 165 of the Penal Code, homosexuality is illegal in Kenya and therefore, any films or broadcast content appearing to legalize, normalize or glorify the act is illegal, unacceptable and an affront to our cultural identity,” he continued.
“Such content, therefore, cannot be exhibited, distributed or broadcasted or held in possession in Kenyan territory.”
He warned that the proposed February 21 premiere of the film had been presented for examination and classification by Crimson Multimedia Limited, was outlawed.
“Any distributor or exhibitor licensed by the board will have their license revoked if found in breach.”
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Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan joins Rafiki, an Oscar-nominated piece directed Wanuri Kahiu that was banned by the Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) on grounds it was promoting lesbianism.
The ban was, however, temporarily lifted by High Court and allowed to be screened to willing adults.
A move that did not, at the time, sit well with Dr Mutua who tweeted that the film did not represent Kenya.
“That's not who we are and homosexuality is not our way of life... Shame on those foreign NGOs who want to use gay content as a tool for marketing the film industry in Kenya. Shindwe! If people want to screen the homosexual film in their houses that's fine.”
