Kannywood film review; Bana Bakwai

Director: Ali nuhu
Producers: Abubakar Bashir Maishadda and Nazifi Asnanic
Company: FKD Production
Cast: Sadiq Sani Sadiq, Ramadhan Boith, Shuaibu Kumurci, Maryuda Yusuf, Tijjani Asase, Musbahu an fara, Fatima Usman Kinal, Muhammad T. Finisher, Abdul M. Sharif e.t.c

Release date: December, 2020.

There have been calls for Kannywood film producers to shift towards making topical, rather than the often irrelevant romantic flicks. The ace film actor and Director, Ali Nuhu, seems to have responded to such calls by making a film which depicts most, if not all the problems with, particularly Northern Nigeria, today.

Entitled Bana Bakwai, the film is about a gang (Bana Bakwai) which consists of desperate youths, tricked into becoming gunmen. They kill Alhaji Badaru, a politician, and the police begin to investigate the incident. The deceased's confidant, Alhaji babba (Tijjani asase), vows to look after the bereaved family. He suggests the deceased's daughter, Nafisa (Maryuda Yusuf), works as the manager for his newly opened club and she, resolutely, believes. Unknown to her, the club is the heaven for her father's assassins and Alhaji Babba is their boss.

On the other hand, there is a drug dealer, Lalla (Shuaibu Kumurci), who supplies drugs for Alhaji's club. His idea of opening his own club enrages Alhaji Babba and thus, gets into conflict with him. Things become even more complicated after Alhaji's gang attacks him during the opening ceremony of the new club.

Eventually, it appears to Nafisa that Bana Bakwai is a criminal group. For that, the gang leader, Jagora (Muhd T. Finisher), sends one of them, Iro Dan-fulani (Ramadan booth), to kill her in order to keep their true identity concealed. 

However, there is a strong protest about the decision to kill Nafisa, from Bala (Sadik Sani Sadik), who is also part of them, leading to a fierce internal fights among them. 

As the film progresses, there are some flashbacks that show how the youths come into Bana Bakwai gang. There are also police investigations, emotions, tension and conflicts. In the end, the police arrest Alhaji babba, lalla, and their boys while fighting.

Undoubtedly, Bana Bakwai is an enticing film. It gets a luminous photography, which perfectly captures the mood and texture of the film. The background score is original. The thrilling stunts, particularly the chases, make it stood out among other movies of similar kind in Kannywood.

The plot twist is not tight enough and the screenplay, not sufficient. It, nonetheless, delivers the intended message satisfactorily. It shows how corruption, unemployment, poor parenting and wrong marriages play a role in promoting thuggery, insecurity and other social vices Nigeria face at the moment. The director, Ali nuhu, really deserves praise for making such a film that touches the above mentioned social problems.

Nonetheless, while its message resonates, the film's presentation doesn't suit the Hausa socio-cultural setting. For instance, Nafisa's acceptance to work in Alhaji's night club is almost impossible in reality. An average Hausa lady would never work in such a place where all sorts of immorality happen.

Regarding the cast; it is carefully selected and all the actors do very well especially the gang. Still, among them, Sadik Sani Sadik and Ramadan Booth need to be lauded. Though, there is wrinkle with the latter's character as he speaks with inconsistent accent --- with Fulani trace in some instances and Fluent Hausa in others.

Finally, I say; watch Bana Bakwai, it's worth your time. It has many things going for. I rate it 3.5 over 5. 

Habibu Maaruf Abdu

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