Chinese writer-director Jing Yi'\;s contemplative debut feature draws on his own Xinjiang roots and Kazakh heritage in an evocative exploration of memory and place. \;
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\n\nThirteen-year-old Arsin lives with his grandmother in a remote village near Kazakhstan\, where life moves untouched\, a world out of time. Arsin helps his older brother herd sheep\, but he&rsquo\;s also a budding botanist cataloguing local flora\, finding refuge in the vast natural vistas of Xinjiang\, and losing himself in the reverie of traditional folk beliefs. He befriends Meiyu\, a Han girl whose nature reminds Arsin of a rare\, otherworldly plant. \;
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\n\nExquisitely shot in 4:3 aspect ratio to perfectly represent the boy&rsquo\;s dreamlike state\, we are transported by the wonderful music of Iranian pianist and composer Peyman Yazdanian. \;
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\n\nDirector Bi Gan (KAILI BLUES\; LONG DAY'\;S JOURNEY INTO NIGHT)\, Jing Yi&rsquo\;s mentor\, praises his striking debut\, saying "\;Yi&rsquo\;s work subtly unfolds the temporal gap between tradition and modernity\, the spatial divide between inland and coast\, and the dreamlike spiritual space between reality and illusion."\; \;
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\n\n(Marie-Pierre Richard for EAFFI Discoveries) \;
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\n\nFestival selection/awards: Winner Grand Prix\, Generation Kplus\, Official Selection\, Berlin International Film Festival 2025
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\n\n&ldquo\;A graceful Chinese coming-of-ager.&rdquo\; \;The Hollywood Reporter
\n LOCATION:Triskel Arts Centre\, Tobin Street\, Cork City UID:e.2489.36581 SEQUENCE:3 DTSTAMP:20260501T213146Z URL:https://chamber.corkchamber.ie/events/details/the-botanist-eaffi-discoveries-36581 END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR