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| A scene in Kannyhwood. Source:http://www.premiumtimesng.com |
Since the movie, Leaving in Bondage, the Nigerian movie industry has grown to become a global show, watched not only in Africa, but also by the African Diaspora.
Initially, Nigerian movies were made largely in the South-east and featured actors from that region of the country. Over the years, the successes prompted the launch of movie industries in the South-west and the North of the country as well.
When the word “Nollywood” is mentioned, it refers to movies made from the South-east of the country. This is because when the word was invented, the northern and south-western industries were non-existent. And when the northern movie industry started, stakeholders chose to name it Kannywood, because it started in the ancient city of Kano. In Nigeria, we refer to the industry in the South-west simply as, “Yoruba Movie Industry.” So, in Nigeria, when the word “Nollywood” is mentioned, we know that we are talking about movies from the South-east of the country, in contrast to the other two.
I haven’t been a fan of Nollywood. This is because, in my judgement, a larger percentage of the movies are often shy of high standards. They often concentrate on storylines, refusing to heed the quality of the scenes. But even the storylines are often preposterous: the subjects are, most times, boring clichés that do not reflect the diverse subjects of the host environment. You also get the feeling that the directors are always in a rush to finish the movies, not minding how the rush dents the quality of the ensuing movies.
The South of Nigeria is educationally ahead of the north. Because of this, people often assume that anything coming from the north is often of a poorer standard, relative to what comes from the South. It is part of the reason why movies from Kannywood aren’t getting a fair amount of attention. The second reason is that you can’t watch them if you don’t understand Hausa. When, eventually, I started watching Kannywood movies, it was by chance, while I scroll through the movie channels of my Multi-Choice TV bouquet. Luckily for me, I understand Hausa, coming from a region of the country where Hausa is also spoken.
I find Hausa movies very captivating because, even though the themes of the movies are largely romance, they naturally reflect a diversity of the subject, without the boredom that has become the seal of Nollywood movies. Plus, the storylines always seem real.
However, I have a little issue to grind with the Nollywood. Hausas are very fascinated by Indian culture. Sadly, the Indian culture reflects in Kannywood. A part of the Indian culture they love to mimic is the dance culture. Each time the movies scroll to such scenes, I get turned off, feeling irritated. Recently, while watching a Hausa movie, I also realised that even background music that reflects the mood of a scene are sometimes a tune that one has heard in some Indian movies, with strong Indian flairs. Also, when minority tribes are featured in the movies, they are portrayed as unserious and backward people, a portrayal that is not true. Movies are supposed to mirror the true picture of society. Only then can we learn from the movies amply.
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