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BUDDHA IN AFRICA

By Nicole SCHAFER

Documentary - Completed 2019

In this case study of China's expanding influence in Africa, a Malawian boy raised in a Chinese Buddhist orphanage, torn between his heritage and upbringing, teeters on the brink of a decision that will change his life forever.

Festivals
& Awards

Hot Docs 2019

International Spectrum

Thessaloniki Documentary Festival (online) 2021

Official Selection

- Year of production
- 2019
- Genres
- Documentary
- Countries
- SOUTH AFRICA, SWEDEN
- Languages
- MANDARIN, ENGLISH
- Duration
- 90 mn
- Director(s)
- Nicole SCHAFER
- Producer(s)
- Nicole SCHAFER (Thinking Strings Media)
- Synopsis
- In a Chinese Buddhist orphanage in Africa, the film follows the story of Enock Alu, a Malawian orphan from a rural village growing up between the contrasting worlds of his traditional African culture and the strict discipline of the Confucian, Buddhist value system of the Chinese. Once the star performer with dreams of becoming a martial arts hero like Jet Li, Enock, in his final year at school, has to make some tough decisions about his future and finds himself torn between returning to his relatives in the village or going abroad to study in China.
  Buddha in Africa raises red flags around education as indoctrination, charity with strings attached and opportunity that comes at the price of identity.

BUDDHA IN AFRICA

Festivals& Awards

Festivals
& Awards