At the premiere of Escape, the Brazzaville cinema was packed out. Due to the limited number of cinemas in Africa, Dzibril has a revenue model different from Chinese and Western film markets. He has started to make DVDs, which are sold worldwide to make money above limited box-office revenues. And Africans like watching DVDs at home.

Four years ago, Dzibril went to Shandong Sports University in Jinan, capital of Shandong Province, on a scholarship by the Chinese Wushu Association. He developed and improved his own style of martial arts and began to practice tai chi and nan quan or southern-style kungfu.  

However, he was not satisfied. He went to Beijing Sports University six months later as a self-funding student to study sanda - kickboxing. He lived like other Chinese students and got along very well with them. He said he loves Chinese culture as the people are polite and humble.

Setting sail

After systematic training in Chinese universities, Dzibril's martial art skills have greatly improved. He participated in a series of international competitions, such as the 2010 Guangzhou International Wushu Festival and the 11th Conference of the International Wushu Federation in Turkey, and won laurels.

Dzibril has set up a martial arts club - Wushu Sets Sail, a platform that provides those interested in wushu exposure to the art. Asked why, he laughed, saying making money is just a side business. The real purpose is to tell the world that Chinese culture is good, and people of all ages can practice wushu. "I think wushu is good for your health, and it can be used in self-defense as well. Moreover, it is an effective way to consolidate the bilateral friendship."

In addition, Dzibril organizes a variety of wushu training sessions and participates in local TV programs as well as parties and activities to promote Chinese martial arts. The number of Africans participating in wushu competitions is on the rise.

Dzibril now plans to dub Escape into Chinese so that more Chinese can enjoy it. He is thinking of either asking friends in China to help or work with the local Confucius Institute. Since early this year, the film maker has begun to learn Chinese at the institute and can speak some simple phrases. "I can speak only a little now, but it will be better in the future," he said.