Beyond stereotypes

Ten years after his return to China, Bo still has a vivid memory of his stint in Nigeria. He misses evenings under the starry sky and fireflies lighting up the grass, so much he dreams with all his heart to return to Africa someday.

But time is lacking, and he can only read his diary from time to time to reconnect with his past experiences. Over the years, an idea took ahold of him: the need to share his stories with a wider public, so he wrote and published his book.

“I want to make readers aware of the real Africa, which is multicultural and ravishing,” he said.

In addition to Bo’s realized dream to publish a book about his time in Africa is his wish to produce a film about the continent; a film about “their true way of life.” Such a project would help break the stereotypes that are usually found in most films about Africa.

“Instead of recurring themes like war, disease and poverty, we should spread a more positive message, and let viewers see Africa as it is,” said Bo, who has already written a scenario based on his experience in Nigeria.

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