By RAKIYA SAMINU DAURA & MOHAMMED IBRAHIM
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ART & STYLE: Who is Aliyu Gora?
ALIYU: My complete name is Aliyu Abdullahi Gora. I was born in Gora village in Safana local government Area of Katsina State. After my primary and secondary education, I started a diploma course in mass communication in one of the higher institutions in town. Unfortunately, I did not complete the programme due to some problems. And it is not for the public to know. I have a wife with three children. I am a journalist and the editor of two Hausa magazines, Gidauniya and Lariya. I worked with a film magazine for complete four years as deputy editor. Besides, I am a movie script-writer; writing has been my hobby since I was in secondary school.
You mentioned earlier that you started a programme in one of the institutions which you left half way. Can you tell us the name of the institution and the year?
Yes! It was Kaduna Polytechnic. The year was, I think, 1989 - 2000.
Do you plan to go back and complete your programme?
Yes, I do. Do not be surprised, I may even complete my education abroad. Presently, I do take lectures. Because I know its importance.
You also said you were a script-writer. How many films have you written scripts for so far?
I wrote many film scripts such as Ishara, Ana bikin duniya, I wrote kaddara, Arziki, C.I.D, Hukuma, Tafiya and many others.
What did you find so attractive in the film industry to drive you into it?
I recall in 1996 I was working with one private company, AM Design Consults. I lost my job. I decided to go into the film industry. And I started by writing my first film which was Ishara. Somebody bought it and he employed me as his production manager. I acted in the film. Since then I have not done anything else. It wasn’t an easy start for me. I was not even paid for my first work. But for me all I wanted was for the public to know what I could do and I have achieved my goal. Many producers saw my films and they came to me and offered me jobs. I remember even my relatives then laughed at me, asking why I should waste my time making Hausa movies. But I kept going.
So, it was the interest you had in Hausa movies, not the money you would make that brought you in?
Exactly. I was very interested in Hausa films. When I was in secondary school I was then the chairman of a fund-raising committee of the Hausa club. I also wrote stage plays and from there my interest developed. By the way, I also acted in the plays.
Earlier you said you lost your job. What happened?
This is private. It was a family issue. I worked under my elder brother and that made it a family affair.
Since you started how has the journey been for you?
Pretty well. Since 1996 I have been surviving. I am comfortable. I take good care of my family. In fact, all the assets I have acquired are as a result of this business.
Of all the films you have acted in so far, which is your favourite and why?
My favourite film is "Gagara badau". Honestly, I love this film very much. Why? Because I was challenged before I gave the role. Seven of us were brought to a table to discuss who would be the boss in the film. In Kano we held three meetings, and in Kaduna we held two. At last I was chosen by the producer due to the confidence he had in me. And I did what he expected of me.
What is your parents’ reaction to your choice of film production as a career? Are they supportive or against it?
They are not against it. Even my mother is in support. My two children are already acting. I have three children, all girls. Two are already into movie making. The smallest of them would be cast in one of the films coming up on 24th March, 2007.
And your wife doesn’t have any problem with that?
My wife has no problem with that. If not for our culture and religion my wife would have been acting too.
How old are your children?
My first daughter is 10, the second is 6 and the third is one and half years old.
Can you recall some of the films they have acted in?
The first one, Maryam acted in Jini daya and so da kauna. If you watch the film she was the smallest and played Safiya Musa.
How about financial backing?
I don’t have any financial backer but my talents. I am not a producer. If you bring your story I can assist you to write and if you want me to appear in your film you pay me and I will do that. But now I depend only on journalism.
What are the challenges facing you and the film industry?
I face many challenges but to me it is normal. Whatever you do you must face challenges in the sense that some of my friends feel I brought myself too low going to the movie business. As I told you earlier some of my relatives laughed at me, saying I was wasting my time.
What about the film industry?
The challenges the industry is facing are many. For instance, when we make films people say they are local films. They are right. It is local but they should give us encouragement instead of condemnation or rejection, you understand.
Another challenge is that most of our film-makers are illiterate. They don’t know what a movie is all about. This is why when you look at our films they all look the same. If you watch ten films today you will discover it is the same story.
We lack equipment, modern equipment. We lack talents, to be frank. And we depend mostly on the same actors and actresses. You see, in Hollywood and Bollywood, they change actors. Presently, Sharu Khan is the one leading in Bollywood. Before it was Amitah Bachan But in the Hausa film industry we don’t change actors.
Why do you think this is happening?
Because of selfishness, of course. Films you see in the market today, if it is Sani Danja or Ali Nuhu or Adam A. Zango who are not the major actors, marketers would not accept the films. Another big challenge is that our marketers are not serious. They are not like our counterparts. For example, when you take your films to them, as marketers they are responsible for dispatching those films to other parts of the country but they wouldn’t do that. Instead, they remain in their shops waiting for the buyers to come.
This is not how to do business. We know how the marketers of Nigerian films market their films in every state they have dealers. We don’t. Kano State is the only place our films are released. May be this is the reason why the government doesn’t want to give us any assistance.
How can this problem be solved?
Nothing can be done. Unless future generation change the direction of the movies. That is all. Because the leaders today would never give us any assistance because they know our capacities. Though we had some problems there are some of us who get financial backing but at last they cheat and run away. For this reason nobody will agree with us tomorrow. But I am sure the future generation will change the system and bring progress to the industry.
How far do you intend to go?
The sky is my limit. By next month, Insha Allah, I am turning to be a producer. A writer to film actor, actor to magazine editor and now I am moving to be a producer of my own, may be from producer to director. I never thought of leaving or quitting this business. In fact, I will die in this business.
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