Juyin Sarauta

Juyin Sarauta (The Royal Ascendance) is a 2017 movie. It was directed by Falalu A. Dorayi. It was produced by Balaraba Ramat Yakubu and Ado Ahmad Gidan Dabino MON. It was produced in Nigeria by Ramat Productions Ltd and Dogarai Women Film. The lyrics playback was made by Fati Nijar.

The movie won Best Film in the Nigerian Language Award by Zuma Film Festival 2017  and was also nominated for the Best Actor. The movie comes as a medium of enlightenment, entertainment, information and education in the African continent especially of the South Sahara. The plot, the characterization and the dialogue  make the story exciting and educating. The producer, defines her attitude towards her intention as gender activist.

 Plot 
Sarki Yusufu (Ado Ahmad Gidan Dabino MON) is the emir of Jadarwa. His wives, concubines and other slaves get divided in moves to produce the next Emir. In the process, each faction is with a particular prince and that leads to murder, rituals, and confusion reigned in the palace. Jakadiya (Ladidi Fagge) and Uwar Soro (Hauwa Musa) connive to turn Ahmadu  mad; Umar, the heir apparent is poisoned by Fulani Gaji (Zainab Muhammad); Bashari is framed for stealing from the Emir and is banished; and Suleimanu is sent away from the palace as a tender boy. At the end, the less privileged among the Princes and son of a concubine, Suleimanu, is the Emir.

 Cast 
 Ado Ahmed Gidan Dabino, MON as Sarki Yusufa
 Alassan Kwalle as Dan Buran
 Aisha Suleiman Cameroon as Fulani Hauwau
 Sadiya Adamu Kishiya as Fulani Saadatu
 Marigayiya Maryam Tahir  as Fulani Maryama
 Zainab Muhammad as Fulani Gaji
 Rabi Sufi as Gwaggo Tawal
 Ladi Mutu ka Raba as Yaya Inna 
 Ladidi Fagge as Jakadiya
 Hauwa Ahmad (Uwar Tuwo) as Fattu
 Hauwa Musa  as Uwar Soro
 Sadiya Hassan as Baiwa Lantana
 Shehu Hassan Kano as Dagacin Kubeji
 Garba Shehu Gaya as Dan Isa
 Auwalu Musa Solo as Galadima
 Rufai Shehu Minjibir as Madaki
 Hassan Hasszain as Wambai
 Inuwa Iliyasu as Waziri

 Production 

 Development 
In 2015, Balaraba Ramat Yakubu wrote Juyin Sarauta to bring about new ideas on the women status in Northern Nigeria, where culture and religion dominate their rights. She discussed it with some people and conducted research in different areas. Together with staff of Ramat Productions, they came up with idea about role of women in determining the king in Hausaland. According to her,  “...the story is that it shows that women are the real power axis in Hausa society.”

To achieve the primary aim of the project, there was a need for adequate funding and support from development partners like UNICEF, UN Women, UNDP, CEDAW, USAID, DFID and women's organizations. They should support the project morally and financially for the benefit of larger audience in order to safeguard societal values and socio cultural, economic, and political values for women for a better society. She eventually contacted many of them and succeeded in gaining a lot from them. Project Act-Nollywood provided a substantial funding for the startup of the project.

 Filming 

Principal photography began in March 2016, different areas were assessed  but the crew could not find a suitable one which could be used to look as far back as 100 years before the coming of colonial masters into Hausaland. The team agreed to build their own city for the purpose of the project. Danhassan town was chosen and a new palace city was build on rented land of about 4 km2.

Initially, the director, Falalu A. Dorayi screened and auditioned principal character (Sarki Yusufa) but when he was on camera, he could not perform effectively.  Ado Ahmad Gidan Dabino MON was appropriated for the role and plays  perfectly.

The movie took about twenty days from 11th  February to 3rd March, 2016. The movie was initially targeted for 10 days, however due to some logistics issues, more days were added. For the purpose of the movie, the crew also borrowed a residence of the district head of Danhassan, changed its exterior design and later restored it back to its previous condition.

 Other websites 

References

Category:2017 movies
Category:Nigerian movies