Directed by Ali Nuhu
Produced by ahmed_s._nuhu
Released 2008
Language Hausa
Starring Maryam Booth, Adam A. Zango, Ali Nuhu, Hauwa Ali Dodo
From Carmen McCain's 2008 class 2008 MAC 4019: Media and Gender
Dijangala, which doubles as the film title and name of the main character, revolves round the life of a poor orphan, Dije, (Maryam Booth) entrusted alongside her elder brother, Ali (Ali Nuhu), by their late father to their uncle, Halilu (Bashir Nayaya) right from childhood. Years later upon the sojourn of Ali to the city in search of greener pastures, pretty Dije, fondly called Dijangala (The pride of a landlord; bride not for the poor) fell a victim of rape in the hands of Hafizu (Adam A. Zango), the son of a wealthy livestock farmer.
Not comfortable with her uncle’s idea of an abortion of the ensuing pregnancy, Dije ran to the city, where in a helpless state, she met a good samaritan, Rabiu, who rushed her to the hospital where she miscarried, and then took her home. Events took a twist when Ali (Ali Nuhu) returned to the village and learnt of what happened to his sister. Armed with a mindset to search for his sister in the city, Ali ran into Sani (Lawan Ahmad), Dije’s erstwhile village lover, who assured him that Dije is fine. The film reached its climax when Hafizu met Dije (renamed Khadija by her new family) in the city and professes `love` to her without recognizing her as the girl he violated months back. With a mind to seek revenge, Dije (Khadija) lured Hafizu to the village to introduce him to her parents. The film ended with a denouement at Hafizu’s farm house where Ali and Sani, upon sighting Hafizu’s car, ran after him, dealt with him before Halilu (Ali’s uncle) came into the scene ordering the lads to stop beating him (Hafizu). Halilu proclaimed that fate had finally caught up with Hafizu, who shortly before the entrance of Ali and Sani, discovered the true identity of Khadija as the young and naïve girl (Dijangala) he had earlier defiled.
From The Market Magazine's Rakiya Sidi Review
In this review, Rakiya Sidi writes on how another Kannywood collection explores the theme of poverty and with it, crucial social issues.
The movie Dijangala is produced in a local setting, with Maryam Booth introduced, casting as the lead actress. It is the kind of film that should be encouraged for its educational and moral value, in this age of crass materialism and the search for the glitterati.
The movie is another break-through for the Hausa film industry, because it has deviated from the usual tradition of love stories and unnecessary songs that neither have meaning, nor amplify the thematic content of the story. This film has only two songs with message laden lyrics. The movie is all about a girl, Dije, (Maryam Booth) and her brother Ali Nuhu, (Yaya Ali) who are orphans and left under the care of their uncle.
They pass through all sorts of hardship in the hands of their uncle Bashir Nayaya (Kawu), but always have a shoulder from Goggo (Hauwa Ali Dodo), his wife, to lean on. Then one day Dije’s brother (Ali) tired of living in poverty, decides to go to the city in search of greener pastures.
When he leaves, the poverty situation of his uncle becomes more critical. At a point it becomes difficult to feed even the two heads that depend on him (i.e. Dije and his wife). As fate would have it, a suitor comes in for Dije, and brings some succour and relief to the family. But again this becomes the snag in a deceptively free-flowing river. There are two contending suitors and Dije’s uncle sees this as an opportunity to make capital. Kawu receives money from Adams A. Zango (Hafiz) one of the prospective suitors and to reciprocate the good gesture promises to send Dije everyday to clean his house despite protests from Goggo.
Left alone with a young girl, especially an innocent one, Hafiz sexually assaults her as a result of which she becomes pregnant. Unable to stand the shame, Dije leaves home to roam about for days with no where to go.
The picture quality of the film could said to have improved with better camera shots and lighting angles. But the sound quality requires hard listening, as the reviewer of this film has to go an extra mile to understand what the message is about.
The film was produced by late Ahmed S Nuhu and screen-played and directed by Ali Nuhu. Nuhu is one actor that has carved a niche for himself in Kannywood; he is about the most talked actor in the industry, and the films he has directed are outstanding and have won several awards.