br anding bin laden 189been cut out. The clerics resorted to a religious antidote and had both the
movie and its lead actor publicly cursed in several mosques. W hen the
movie came to the video shops on May 10, 2002, it initially sold exceed-
ingly well. However, viewers were disappointed because “Ibro” appears in
but a very few sequences. Moreover, Ibro as Osama bin Laden comes off as
strangely monosyllabic and lacks any of the humor commonly associated
with the actor. In contrast, the comedians playing George W. Bush, Kolin
Fols (Colin Powell), and Tony Nakunduba (Tony Blair) are given many
more opportunities to display their talent. The movie’s plot unfolds mainly
in interiors, where Ibro Usama’s enemies are forging the alliance against
terror and preparing the landing of their troops in Afghanistan. Like Ibro
as bin Laden, comedian Ciroki, who plays the Taliban ambassador in
Pakistan (a Muslim), does not come across as very funny. Scenes shot in
outdoor locations show troops of the Northern A lliance combating the
Taliban and Ibro Usama. W hen the Taliban appear to emerge victorious
in the battles, George W. Bush wants to go into hiding. The movie ends
with this cliffhanger and the audience is referred to the upcoming sequel.
However, this sequel was never realized, either.
Even though Danlasan and all other comedians playing Muslim char-
acters in the movie kept their comical talent in check, the film inevitably
provoked angry reactions from some viewers. In a letter to the Hausa film
magazine Fim, a reader vented his anger as follows:
W hy on earth does Rabilu Musa (Dan Ibro) now feel impelled to even
touch on religion in this shameless manner? Does he really think God will
let him go unpunished if he strikes out at one of God’s servants? There are
people who have amassed riches without allowing themselves to get cor-
rupted by these, who have dedicated themselves completely to God, His
Prophet, and His religion; are we supposed to let such people be made into
stuff for Hausa comedies? Just in case you don’t know what I am talking
about: I am referring to Ibro Usama. By God, if he continues to meddle
with religion, we will beseech God to repudiate him immediately! (Aminu
2002; my translation)Eventually, the controversy died down. As one of numerous past and
future episodes of Danlasan’s transgression of public morals, however, it
added fuel to the negative image he had among conservative clerics, which
would eventually land him in jail in 2009 (see chapter 4). In 2003, however,