KANNYWOOD FILM REVIEW --- KARAMIN SANI

People are often sceptical about ideas that go beyond their reasoning. Yet, we the faithful believe in miracles, simply because they are caused by the omnipotent God. However, being that miracles are incompatible with the ordinary laws of nature, they are philosophically questioned by, needless to say, atheists and those with cracks in their faiths. This argument is addressed in the film entitled Karamin sani (Little knowledge)

The film is an adaptation of a true life story of a man who supposedly lived in two distinct worlds concurrently. This is reported in many Islamic books to proclaim the reality of 'miracles'.

The film begins from a far away village called Saye, where a woman gave birth to a two headed baby. The villagers were bemused by the strange birth. One imam malam liman (Hussaini Sule koki) in his comments about the issue narrated more astounding situations God could create but his companion, malam Ladan (Adam A. Zango) found the narrations implausible. When he returned home, malam Ladan entered the restroom and as he stood up there, he miraculously found himself withing a new world (a fictional setting called Sha'iskawa). He stayed dumbstruck with panic. Having no other choice, he continued to live in the new fantastical-like world. His host community married a girl off to him after he had helped her out of spiritual problem. Seven months later while in the restroom again, he found himself back to his real world (Saye) and more weirdly in the same clothes and restroom he got lost initially. He became totally confused. When he confirmed his wife's claim that he spent only ten minutes in the restroom, he realized that the extended episode had existed only in his personal experience. He went on to live his normal life for some years after which another miracle happened. Bilkisu, the girl he married during his dream-like life, appeared at his door, an event that completely restored the past puzzling situation.

Malam Ladan and Bilkisu went to malam liman where she narrated her story. In the story, it is shown that she didn't use to originally live in Sha'iskawa but only appeared there through the same route as malam Ladan and by sheer coincidence got married to him. She later returned home as he did. There, her father (Rabi'u Rikadawa) did not believe the account of the mysterious life she lived where she married and got pregnant. Afterwards, his disgust at her pregnancy prompted her to go in search of her husband. After a long journey full of adventures, she came to Saye.

In the flashbacks of her story, her encounters with accident, kidnappers and Sulaiman Bosho are portrayed in very exciting scenes and sequences.

In the end, malam liman and ladan went with Bilkisu to her father. Their effort to convince him understand his daughter's story as miracle was a mere tale to him. Consequently, God turned him into a woman!

The film really deserves praise for its thematic concern which, unlike many other Hausa films, is in line with culture and religion. It avoids singing and dancing routine and it heavily criticises sceptics in the most daring manner. Nevertheless, the transmogrification of Rabi'u Rikadawa into a woman could generate a trivial controversy.

Even though the film has some elements of science fiction and is set between what looks like fantasy and reality, it is neither a science fiction nor a fantasy. It can better be described as a 'historico-religious film' considering the story being true life and its purpose.

In  terms of performances, the role of Bilkisu (Hajjo kd) is admirable. Her earnest rendition as a new commer is Worthy of an award. The veterans Hussaini Sule Koki, Adam Zango, Jamila Nagudu, Rabi'u Rikadawa and others, also proved themselves.

The director (Falalu A. Dorayi) did quite well. His idea of putting Bosho, Sadik Sani Sadik and Bashir Kaya in Cameo roles certainly paid off. Their presence could engross you so much that you wouldn't notice the unnecessary length of some sequences.

The cinematography is incredible as per Kannywood standard. Except for the sound which is inaudible in few scenes, the picture quality and lighting are almost impeccable. Also, the special effects employed are deposited effectively.

Finally, judging by the positive reaction it gets from the audience and its successful run in theatres, it could be concluded that karamin sani excels. I give 4 out of 5 stars to this special film.

Habibu Maaruf Abdu

Kano, Nigeria

habibumaaruf11@gmail.com

28th March, 2020