AMINA, A DARING OR ENDEARING EPIC?

Synopsis/Summary

With many years of pre-production, production, and post-production, Amina, based on a true-life story tells the story of a 16th-century legend from the northern part of Nigeria who must use her military prowess and skills to defend her family’s kingdom.

For 105 minutes, the eponymous epic movie explores a variant of the legend of the warrior Queen Amina of Zazzau (Zaria), who lived around 200 years before the foundation of the Sokoto-Caliphate league that represented Nigeria during the time of British frontier rule observing the Islamic Jihad (sacred conflict) that overwhelmed the area in the nineteenth century. As indicated by most records, Queen Amina controlled for quite some time at the turn of the sixteenth and seventeenth century, after becoming the first female ruler in a male-dominated field, region, and era.

Directed by Izu Ojukwu, produced by Okechukwu Ogunjiofo, the film garnered no less than 13 nominations at the prestigious African Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA) 2022. The movie featuresLucy Ameh (Queen Amina), Ali Nuhu (Danjuma), Yakubu Mohammed ( Barde), Victoria Nweke (Mero), Abu Chris Gbakann (Sarki), Dan Chris Ebie, (Galadima), Usman Tijani (Ibrahim) Clarion Chukwura (Zumbura), Ummi Mohammed (Zaria), Godwin Ogaga(Kabarkai).

Central Dramatic Problem

Famed for ’76 (2016), Sitanda (2006) which won Best Director at the 3rd Africa Movie Academy Awards, director and cinematographer, Izu Ojukwu teaming with the screenwriter, Frank Chinedu Uba decides to focus on the journey of Amina to the throne. After witnessing an injustice being met out to a slave, Danjuma who is also the heir to the throne of the Jukun palace, Amina developed an interest in military activity, the first step to the fulfillment of her destiny as prophesied by the popular witch, Zumbura. Faced with impossible opposition in form of Madawaki who commands the Army and the trust of Sarki, will Amina really be able to grasp her foretold destiny?

Plot/Sub-plot/Plants

The film opens with an OTS movement of little Amina who runs to witness a duel scene between Zazzau’s superb warrior, Kabarkai and Danjuma. The latter possesses supernatural abilities, which he had gotten from his mom, Zumbura, the priestess of the Oracle Tukur Tukur. The enchantment that makes his body inpeneratable for any weapon. Be that as it may, Danjuma, an Igala prince and slave in Zazzau, strategically tossed sand at Kabarkai, in battle, which weakened him. Danjuma, exploiting Kabarkai’s agitation, tossed his lance at the competitor’s eye.

Unfortunately, Danjuma was prevented from crowning his triumph by killing Kabarkai as is the custom. Karbakai eventually gains the opportunity, on the grounds that the Sarki halts the battle to save the pride of Zaria’s famed warrior.

However, this singular turn of events plants a seed in the heart of the princess, Amina, who sees the battle and starts to foster an interest in procuring military abilities, which at this point, is untouchable for females in Zazzau.

Hearing the Sarki’s decision to approve Amina’s unprecedented request, the Madawaki becomes a solid resistance to Princess Amina, and a danger to her dad, Barkwa Turunku, the Sarki.

As she develops into a valiant champion, snared in affection with the ‘foe’, each and every other significant plot rotates around Amina satisfying her predetermination and climbing her lofty hills of destiny in the history of Zazzau.

Screenplay

For Amina, Frank Chinedu Uba employs a simple linear, progressive storytelling style to chronicle Ojukwu’s version of the Amina legendary which many have questioned for his heavy lack of major facts. This makes the story appear as a fantasy flick based on true events instead of tagging it a true-life story because what is chronicled as a screenplay is far from the historical facts. A simple google search will confirm this fact.

The movie story clearly loses a lot of its potential in the screenplay which should have played with the intrigues, conflicts, characters, and plot twists. How can you miss such a glorious opportunity to shock us with Mero, using her as a Motiff.

Again, the fighting sequence was obviously not written by a professional. For a movie of such budget and hype and Hollywood wanna-be, that highly important responsibility should have been separated and handled by someone with stunt and fight experience and expertise. That element alone robs the movie of another glorious opportunity to score high. Aside the opening duel scene, the rest of the fight scenes are too poor. Like child’s play. Take the adult Amina training sequence, for instance, even a five-year-old will not be convinced.

Character and Characterisation

Notwithstanding some carelessly composed scenes, Izu Ojukwu got the characterisation of Queen Amina of Zazzau played by Lucy Ameh right.

Although she was born in a highly chauvinistic society, she conquered the Zazzau empire and became the first and most outstanding female Sarki in Nigerian history.

Ameh, a locale of Benue State, was brought up in Kaduna but educated in Plateau, and Kaduna States separate犀利士
ly.

The northern actress has featured in some Kannywood films like ‘M’eshes on a Bald Head, ‘Bariga Sugar‘, and numerous others. She was, nonetheless, an example worth following in the film which was requesting and required her to pull a few tricks.

There was a report that she was flung off her pony one time on set and fell heedlessly into the ground. As she collided with the ground, she didn’t know she would get by. The mishap deferred going for a long time, yet she was tough about her job.

Nuhu who is well known in Kannywood, where he frequently communicates in the Hausa language, in this film assumed a unique part as an Igala prince.

Despite the fact that his personality didn’t need a lot of discourse, he had the option to depict the job of a sweetheart through his heartfelt signals towards Amina.

Veteran Nollywood actress, Clarion Chukwura who plays Zumbura the priestess of the Tukur, and the mother of Kabarkai, likewise delivers a unique performance with her role.

Relatively few know that the 57-year-old veteran actress, who hails from Anambra State, is exceptionally familiar with Yoruba and Hausa dialects.

Chukwura’s exhibition was remarkable, it helps us to remember her job in the incredible film, ‘”Egg of Life“.

The veteran, who is by all accounts recently, has been specific about the jobs she takes, assumes an unconstrained part in Amina.

However, the rest of the cast perform below average. Stage actors with amateurish screen performances, with very poor line delivery skills. Most of their characters lack dimension and bad acting didn’t further kill the characterization.  Their performances do not leave the screen. No connection.

One could understand the challenge of picking most of your cast from the north where the film took place. You don’t expect Hollywood mannerism from that part of Nollywood.

Cinematography

With rack-focuses, push-ins, and push-outs the cinematography reveals power, relationship, and more.

Bathing Madawaki and the Regen of Igala in silhouette when they meet in the desert to plot their next movie is a beau to watch. Madawaki who is carefully planning a coup against Amina’s father, and the Regent wanting to ensure the death of the heir to the throne of Igala hide in the shadows while they pretend in the open to be good men.

The cinematography tries to help the poor fight choreography, but the fighting scenes cannot be helped.

Directorial Prowess/Production Design/Post-production

In the period drama, the director, Izu Ojukwu employed a linear narrative to largely portray the event of the story in chronological order, that is, telling the events in the order in which they occurred, a plot that pretty much begins from the 16th-century when the young Queen ruled the Zazzau empire.

With the use of English, Hausa, and Igala languages, which has been widely criticized for being predominantly English instead of Hausa, the movie is ‘action-packed’ and Ojukwu depicts the incredible life and times and of course, beauty of Amina, a young and fearless warrior princess.

Ojukwu should be applauded for its top-notch technical, visual representation, and nuanced performance.

However, known for his fast-paced action movies which earned him the name, “Nigerian Speilberg”, Ojukwu scores below average with Amina, mostly because the project holds too much opportunity for him to flaunt his directorial prowess and style. The fight scenes are a joke. The CGI and multiples look like child’s play. Obviously blunt and rusty knives which they try to help with sound effects.

The production design of this movie is its best part. Fantastic sets with timing, context, and characterization. The fight arena is a work of art. The slaves, the cages, the dungeons, the palace, Madawki’s chamber, the landscapes, colour pallets, are all gorgeous, beautiful and help to a very large extent, the believability of the story. With scenes set in the bygone era, tastefully-done recreations of the 16th century. Several ancient buildings made of mud and stones were constructed in the location, to look exactly like Queen Amina’s palace, as was applicable in the 16th century.

The costumes and locations were also another amazing high point of the movie that is commendable because they showcase the historical background of the movie.

More so, the soundtracks were apt to every scene used. It further reinforced the fact that Nollywood has evolved technically and soundtrack-wise. Gone are the days when soundtracks narrated the entire movie. Think 1990s Nollywood. The best thing about ‘Amina’ is its premise.

Lesson Learnt

The film displays the unimaginable tradition of an incredible lady as one observes both her own and proficient life. Without flinching, she could look straight in the eyes of her adversary and responds to each call head-on to cut out a way for herself.

Regardless of being brought into the world in a man’s reality which spun around severe contentions, odd creature interests, and smothering ageless customs, Amina clears her own way by confronting various battles yet at the same time emerging from everything as a legend. She demonstrates a character that fears no one.

Conclusion

One could only sit to watch the movie with a dreamy eye, imagining how great it could have been. Maybe a remake from another ambitious filmmaker.

Verdict

My verdict for this movie is 50/100. It can do better.

Shoots NG’s Score Card:

Every Item is 10 marks and 100% in all.

70- 100%= you are the bomb, be ready for Oscar

50-70%= thank you for repping quality

30- 50%= you can do better, up your game

10-30%= Return to film school

01- 10%= Filming is not for you, look for another job