Nothing to celebrate in Kannywood @ 20 – Hajiya Aisha

Since when did you join the Hausa movie industry? I joined the Hausa movie industry in 2006, but before then in the early 90s, we were close friends with Ibrahim Mandawari who helped in promoting a community bank we were operating at that time. We used to talk on films and television series a lot. […]

Since when did you join the Hausa movie industry?

I joined the Hausa movie industry in 2006, but before then in the early 90s, we were close friends with Ibrahim Mandawari who helped in promoting a community bank we were operating at that time. We used to talk on films and television series a lot. And also at that time I reviewed some of his films prior to the preview, I spent a little time later with Aminu Momoh, an actor also on his films under Home Alone Production company, but it was in 2006 that I  produced my first film Sanafahana.

 

What influenced your decision to join the movie industry?

My belief in the power of the media and my interest in visual information are some of the facts that revealed to us that there is a lot of untapped benefits in Hausa history and culture.

 

From that time till date, what are the changes you have experienced in the industry?

From 2006 to date we have witnessed little changes. But with the coming of a new administration in the Kano State Censorship Board, the administrative aspect has seen some formal data collection and documentation – actors; crew and companies are registered and events are documented.  In the past, getting formal reference was impossible e.g. bank accounts were not maintained or events documented. And also positive changes have been recorded in terms of training, improved distribution, sanity within the industry through disciplinary courses, growth in IT and other sectors.

 

Kannywood just celebrated 20 years of being in business, what do you make of this?

I beg to say that there isn’t much to celebrate after 20 years despite our rich tradition and history coupled with our knowledge and population spread. Hausa land had local dramas before the Arabs. Despite our equally rich history of abundant stories, we are still at the home video level while everyone else is spinning skywards around us.

 

What do you think is the way forward?

There is a lot of untapped talent in the industry. Creativity is only complimented but not dependent on western education. To players in the industry I will say this to them, let the future be the target. As the urban audience gets more sophisticated the desire for quality acting and production will be required.

There is a lot of professional indiscipline, lack of respect for time and schedules, compounded by a lack of a disciplinary structure. Serious players should work together to find answers and growth prospects. We should be playing within Nollywood as we are one country.

Let me say something to government, measures and rules are required, but there should be the right infrastructure to maintain them before sanctions: a government that hasn’t provided jobs and security should not cut off the thief’s hand, this is on record as an authentic Islamic rule. Kano film industry would have packed up in the 2007 lawless era without rules, there have been more sanctions than corrective measures, and after seven years, we zeroed back to local films with Dan Auta replacing Dan Ibro, a dearth of good directors, good editors, and studios. The loss of talent here has empowered the Abuja, Kaduna, and probably Jos sub industries.

A talented actress like mariya has told me she goes for nine months or more without an offer of a film as it would be cheaper to take a replacement where they are shooting. This is an experienced tank of knowledge who adds colour to cultural films! And also that since this industry is still groping to define its market and direction in a fast moving world, serious minded producers can only secure their effort through positioning themselves for growth, ship out bad players whether tech or acting crew, enforce discipline. I agree we have financial constraints, that is why we are planning to partner for projects, form a group to promote and sell our products, take advantage of IT developments and upcoming global advantages. Another thing is we have been at the mercy of the marketers. Where the buyers dictate the price a market will definitely close. The slogan in 20011 should be for the piper to dictate the tune.

 

What end do you foresee for this market tussle?

The government could help with a large hall to serve as conference centre, meeting center where the different guilds could have offices, invite investors from outside Kano, etc. producers pay for script approval, consultants, screening, certificates etc. a portion of these could pay for maintenance of the hall. A collective body here can now hire a lawyer and render legal recourse for sanity sake.

Where are the training promises, has the action and utterances of the board helped instill confidence in the public and pride back to a profession that is as old as time! Again our government could partner to open distribution channels, we are too small to go it alone. Establish sales staff from each production company to visit selling town centers; these sales agents collectively can get evidence against pirating and fight them where copyright commission has allowed them go scot-free. A staff at KUMBO Company travels for that but for one company, it is costly. We have to leave the back biting and partner; only serious players will do that.

 

What should viewers expect from your films?

I hope my small presence encourages women writers and producers because women endure. I hope Kumbo stays a name to reckon with and an avenue that will be associated with new faces. And in 2011 our company plans Sanafahana 3, Noor Sequel, Makuwa Sequel, and a documentary on Kano villages.