S​hoddy ​English subtitles of Hausa films results in ‘​Engausa​​’​

As the Hausa movie industry grows so does its audience increase.

With the introduction of the African Magic Hausa channel on DSTV, there arose a need to subtitle the movies to accommodate a wider non-Hausa speaking viewership ​across the continent.

Muhsin Ibrahim, a Hausa Film promoter and observer, noted that some Kannywood film makers who subtitle their films in English do so without rightly taking into consideration the correct tenses and phrases that describe the dialogue. In many instances, the grammar is murdered, and the spellings error-ridden, he said.

Mr. Ibrahim pointed out that this ultimately destroy​s​ the objective of the subtitles and create​s a false idea of the movie to the non-Hausa speaker.

“It inadvertently makes it an extremely funny, and a mind-numbing film. I often wonder: is that truly English or “Engausa”, a hybridized English and Hausa languages, as it is popularly called in the Hausa community,” he said.

It must be stated that some of these poorly subtitled movies are produced and directed by some of the best hands in Kannywood, which makes it mind-boggling when equal devotion is not given to the subtitles.

Some popular culprits are Mai Farin Jini (The Popular Bachelor) directed by Ilyasu Abdulmumini Tantiri; Wata Shari’ar (The Unclaimed Verdict) directed by Yakubu Muhammad; Maja (Merger) directed by Sadiq N. Mafia; Bakin Zinari (The Black Gold) directed by Imrana S.I Ashir; and Azeema directed by Kamal S. Alkali.

In the Wata Shari’a, one of the lines: Dr. Hassan ne ya aiko ni in gaida kai” ( Dr. Hassan extends his greetings) was poorly translated as “Dr. Hassan sends me to greets you.”

In Bakin Zinari, the line: “Sauran mutane za su ce fad’an kabilanci ne” (Others will see it as a tribal war/conflict) became “Other people will referred it as a tribal war.)

This lack of attention to detail beggars the question: Is this abuse of the Hausa-English translations not emphasizing the stereotype of Northerners as ignorant illiterates ​who​ cannot speak good English, Nigeria’s ​official language?

According to socio-linguistic studies, watching films with subtitles can be a special identity-forming experience especially for foreign viewers.

Many among Kannywood’s counterparts in sourthern Nigeria pooh-pooh Hausa films, and look down on the Hausa actors for their assumed lack of aptitude for the English language. This makes it difficult for most actors to transition from Kannywood to Nollywood. One actor who has seamlessly managed to do this and has won awards within both industries is Ali Nuhu. Not many can follow his foot steps thanks to the poor image as envisioned by some these movies.

To overcome what should be a false image, equal attention should be given in Kannywood to subtitles as it is given to improving production.

In order to properly sell Hausa films to the non Hausa speaking audience, professionalism should be involved and encouraged in every aspect.

A Yoruba friend of this author, and a fan of the Kannywood complains that though some of the movies are beautifully presented, trying to understand the dialogue through the subtitles often proves difficult.

If the Hausa movies must get equal salutation with its counterparts in the Nigeria film industry, Kannywood producers should properly take in to consideration and put proper devotion to the subtitling of their movies.

It should be done with professionalism involving good linguists and translators and proper editing before the release of the movie.

It will also increase the audience and interest from and beyond the shores of the none Hausa speaking countries.

Source: Premium Times

Indo-Hausa Flicks Killing Kannywood

By Al Amin Ciroma

Kannywood producers and directors have raised the alarm that the infiltration of Indian movies translated into the Hausa language into the industry is silently killing the Hausa movie industry. In unison, stakeholders believe that the act is being hamstrung by piracy and dishonest traders.

Kannywood Trends understands that marketers of the said products engage the services of Hausa linguists who understand Hindi to translate and lip-synch dialogues in the movies such that both the audio and video are perfectly synchronised with the actions that produce them. They also ensure that the movements of a speaker's lips match the sound of his speech.

It is given that Kannywood was originally inspired by the Indian Cinema typography (Bollywood), hence the production and styling of Kannywood movies in this same fashion. Also, songs in such Hausa movies are fashioned after Bollywood. Thus, Kannywood blossomed and, for over two decades, has remained loved by Hausa-speaking communities across the country and in the Diaspora. But with the advent of the Indo-Hausa genre, activities of Kannywood - which accounts for a whopping N150m annually and employs thousands - are gradually being brought to a standstill. Ironically, even after so many sales, some producers hardly make any profits.

To make end meets, some producers now resort to producing jingles for corporates bodies and television drama series for local television stations.

Accusing fingers have been pointed at the censorship and copyright bodies for being too laid back and for their long silence over the circulation and exhibition of such movies.

Marketers, Producers, Actors Cross Swords

Meanwhile, mixed reactions have continued to trail this recent development, as marketers, producers and actors have varying opinions.

Alhaji Rilwanu Smart (Marketer)

"As far as I am concerned this is one of the good things that have happened to marketers. I therefore support the sales and circulation of the Indo-Hausa DVD movies. It may interest you to know that a copy of translated Indian movie is cheaper than the normal Hausa DVD in the market. So people can now use this opportunity to patronise us.

"Earlier, we had called on the producers to reduce the price of their products, so as to beat pirates, but they refused. I remembered something like this happened in Nollywood when the producers detected that the activities of pirates were hurting their businesses. The first thing they did was to compete with them in prices, by reducing the price of their movies. In fact, they sell the same price with the pirates in a bid to push them out of business. By so doing, they were able to cub the menace in Nollywood.

"I am, therefore, calling on the Kannywood stakeholders to come to terms and seek ways of improving their products so as to beat the pirates at their own game. The circulation of foreign films in Nigeria started hundred years back, when certain American and Chinese films in VHS form were dubbed and exhibited throughout the country. If you recall, none obtained the appropriate rights of the producers. The authorities were fully aware, but none of them raised the alarm; they are no crying foul, because Hindi movies are being translated and synchronised to the Hausa language," Smart said.

Nura Magaji (Chairman, Film Image/Chairman Anti-piracy Committee)

"As a matter of urgency, producers of Hausa movies need to come to terms with marketers. We have been having series of round-table discussions where issues were deliberated and digested, but nothing practical was done. We all know there's a problem, but, first, they should consider compromising on the prices of Hausa DVD copies, so that the encroachment of the Hausa-India can be checked."

Falalu Dorayi (Producer/Director)

"The advancement of Hausa-Indian movies into the market has succeeded in killing our business. Kannywood creates job opportunities for hundreds of thousands of the society's teeming youths and accounts for about N50m tax to the federal government annually; yet, they don't protect the interest of the business. The parastatals and regulatory bodies in charge of film matters don't do their work effectively. If not, why do they allow the in-flow of foreign films into our markets?

"The most annoying thing is that the content of the movies are not in line with our customs. Most times, the dialogues are discourteous, nasty and disgusting and, sadly, our children have access to these movies. What is the censor's commission doing to correct these insensitivities?

"Funny enough, some marketers make silly excuses that producers should compromise on the prices of their movies. This is greed! Do they know the cost of production and post-production? Well, I will remind them that we have a working capital; we pay our production crew, actors, set designers and all others on board. We know how much we spend from the pre-production to the level of exhibition, so as to ensure that we do our best to produce quality products. They shouldn't dictate to us. The reason they find piracy cheap is because they don't own it (the original idea). It is called robbery!"

Ismail Na'Abba Afakallah (Producer/Stakeholder)

"The encroachment of the Hausa-India movies into our markets has succeeded in sending so many producers packing. Most of them are out of business now and we can't afford to let it continue. In our capacity as stakeholders, we held several fora, deliberated on the matter and have, conclusively, come up with some guidelines which we are going to forward to the appropriate quarters, but first to the censor bodies.

"Some of the guidelines include:

1. Censorship boards should make sure any person(s) interested in translating Hindi movies into the Hausa language should obtain the consent of the producer. He must submit an original letter of acceptance by the producer.

2. The letter must be accompanied by an endorsement from the Indian High Commission in Nigeria stating that the producer (from Bollywood) duly approves that his movies be translated by the marketer.

3. They should also censor the movie in accordance with the guidelines for censoring Hausa movies. Therefore, all manners of callousness, vulgar statements [must] be edited out of the movies.

"We believe this will go a long way in discouraging the pirates.

Sabi'u M. Gidaje (Actor/Producer)

"This is a clear act of piracy and the copyrights commission is exhibiting nonchalance in containing the menace. Another problem about the Hausa-India flicks is that most of the translations do not appeal to our audience, because they confuse them a lot. I call on the authorities to come to our rescue."

Hauwa Maina (Actress/Producer)

"I am totally against it. If the pirates want to produce Hindi movies, why don't they go to India and shoot, or go on joint productions rather than [engage in] this nonsense?

"Our marketers have succeeded in killing Kannywood. People should know that Hausa movies were originally inspired by the Indian films. Back then, teeming Hausa communities see Kannywood movies as a recipe for what they need. But now, it is as if the marketers are taking them back to where they were coming from, making our Hausa movies irrelevant.

"This is clear act of sabotage and the censor board is only watching them, giving them cover."

Source: LEADERSHIP

Kannywood Star Ali Nuhu Denies Reports that He is Marrying a Second Wife

Ali Nuhu and his family

One of Kannywood’s most prominent actors Ali Nuhu is shutting down reports that he is set to marry a second wife in February. 

Ali who is also a musician, producer and director, is married to Maimuna and has three children (one not pictured). 

Reports surfaced via social networking sites that Ali will wed again in the first week of February in Kano. It was rumoured that the wife was from a rich family in one of the biggest emirates in Kaduna. 

Kannywood Scene, a platform showcasing Hausa speaking actors (Kannywood) revealed that Ali isn’t getting married, which the actor later retweeted to his 40,000 followers. 

Source: http://www.bellanaija.com/

Kannywood commended Hadiza Aliyu Gabon for the Creation of Dandali Na

Hadiza Gabon

Hadiza Aliyu Gabon has been described as the Kannywood newest entrepreneur following her penetration into the social networking services. This was disclosed at a monthly briefing of Kannywood members held in Kano last week.

The CEO of Galleria Entertainment said that Kannywood members were supposed to be coming up with business initiatives a long time ago. He said that they should not be relaying on movie production alone as the world is changing everyday.

"This is a commendable effort, and we have to applaud her for the hopeful effort she has made so far in creating www.dandalina.com". He added.

Dandali Na is a new social networking website unveiled by the Kannywood most populous actress last month. Since it is emergence, it has attracted hundreds of users such as popular Kannywood actor and singer Prince Adam A. Zanzo and Kurman Gari's Saleem Tijjani Ibrahim.

Another Kannywood and Nolloywood actor who signaled his support twitted to his 43,000 followers. Ali Nuhu has being an outstanding star within Kanywood and Nollywood movie industries and has being a Samsung Brand Ambassador for 2 years now. The actor stated last year that his next target is Hollywood.

Hadiza Aliyu Gabon Unveils Own Social Networking Service

A Kannywood superstar popularly known as Hadiza Gabon has on 20th of February 2014 unveiled her new social networking service called Dandali Na as part of her effort to put together her fans and everyone on the internet together with her friend Zubairu Dalhatu.

In her effort to gives her fans and everyone capable of browsing internet the ability to connect and share contents in real time, Gabon lets her website users updates their status and share content which includes photo, video and audio clips. Users can subscribe to other users’ channels and view their subscribed channels’ content in real time; they can ‘like’ or ‘comment’ specific content as well as recommending to others. Users registered have the option of adding friends and sending private messages to members of the network with more added features such as creating blog, forum and groups.

Speaking with our correspondent in Kano Gabon said “Today, the connections between people increasingly happen online and there is a need for me to provide them with an avenue where everyone can get connected.”

Chief Technical Officer of Dandali Na added that the website “aims to join people together and allow them to share with each other”.

Dandali Na is presently available on the internet as www.dandalina.com and also as an application on Google Play Store.

Source: Voice of Arewa

A brief interview with Ali Nuhu; Kannywood Industry’s Superstar and also Nollywood Actor

Kannywood Online: Ali Nuhu, I had that your colleague is died in an auto crash along Saminaka Express Way, are you aware of this incident?

 Ali Nuhu: Yes, I am aware of it. It was very shocking information.

Kannywood Online: What do have to say about her death?

Ali Nuhu: It was a very big tragedy in the Kannywood movie Industry, because Hauwa was a role model, she was a very kind Actress that every Producer want include her in his movie.

Kannywood Online: How best can you describe your relationship with her?

Ali Nuhu: She is my best actress in Kannywood, I was once her manager and she was fond of calling me her Daddy and I normally call her my daughter.

Kannywood Online: Has she ever worked under you?

Ali Nuhu: Yes, she was once in FKD. She took one of the female lead in FKD'S first movie SABANI and featured in my home productions KHUSUFI, ZO MU ZAUNA and DIJANGALA. She is a veteran in this field because most filmmakers set examples with her when describing natural Actors in the Industry. Hauwa also took the lead in one of the biggest blockbusters in my career SANGAYA.

Kannywood Online: You received so many awards with Hauwa Ali Dodo during her lifetime. Can you tell us some of these awards?

Ali Nuhu: In the year 2000, she got her fist Best Actress Award with the movie KOGIN BAGAJA (THEMA AWARD) and later took the Stars in the movie award (SIMA) in 2008.

BREAKING NEWS: Hauwa Ali Dodo died in an Auto Crash

Nigeria's Hausa Movie Industry Actress and a Supermodel, Miss. Hauwa Ali Dodo popularly known as Biba Problem died January 01 2010 around 11am in an auto crash along Saminaka road in Kaduna State after attending a Polo Tournament in Plateau State. The accident was caused by an Okada Rider who was crossing before their Volkswagen Golf. Miss. Biba died along with a Taxi driver she had hired who was supposed to take her to Kano. She was arranged buried according to Islamic law in the driver’s house along Bauchi road in Jos, (Plateau State).

Hauwa Ali was an Actress in the Hausa Movie Industry popularly known as Kannywood. She appeared in more than 100 movies and local television dramas in her birth state (Kano) and other part of the country. Hauwa appeared in the highly recognized Hausa movie Bakan Dabo, a movie of a life story of Ooni of Ife, HRM Okunade Adele Sijuwade Olubuse II and Emir of Kano Alhaji Ado Bayero.

A producer in the Kannywood Movies Industry Malam Al-Kanawa said that he spoke with Hauwa Ali Dodo an hour before the incident and later received a call from Saima Mohammed who is also an Actress that Hauwa was died. According to sympathizers, Hauwa Indeed cannot be left out as a great talented Actress though age was no longer on her side of her favorite romantic scripts, she was a very popular Actress and attained international recognitions in Hausa movie making.

Hauwa, during her lifetime in the Kannywood Movie Industry received several awards and recognitions. These include Hausa Movies Yahoo Group Movie Award in 2002 with BURI movie and Stars in the Movie Award (SIMA) for Best Actress in 2008 along side with several other awards.