Chinese Film ‘The Botanist’ Screens at CIFF 46

The Chinese drama The Botanist was screened at the 46th Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF) as part of the festival’s international program.

Directed by Jing Yi, The Botanist is a quiet and lyrical coming-of-age drama set in a remote Xinjiang village. The story follows Arsin, a lonely Kazakh boy who finds comfort in cataloguing plants, until his world shifts with the arrival of Meiyu, a spirited Han Chinese girl.

The film blends dreamlike imagery with a sensitive study of childhood, identity and the natural world.

The cast includes Jahseleh Yesl as Arsin and Ren Zihan as Meiyu. The Botanist has appeared on the 2025 festival circuit, including Berlin’s Generation section, where it was noted for its visual elegance and meditative atmosphere.

Its screening at CIFF adds a contemplative, nature-focused voice to the festival’s lineup and offers viewers a glimpse into China’s rural landscapes and minority communities.

After the screening, an interview was held with director Jing Yi. He was asked why he chose this particular location for filming, and he explained that he is originally from the area and wanted to highlight it, showing the reality of rural life and how it can sometimes be difficult. When asked about the film’s title, he said he did not choose it alone.

A close friend of his, who also grew up in the same place, suggested the title.

Another question focused on the film’s mix of dreamlike elements and realism. Jing Yi explained that combining fantasy with rural life allows the audience to experience the world as Arsin does, in a space that exists between memory and myth.

This approach reflects the poetic and fragile nature of growing up in a region where tradition and modernity intersect.

CIFF continues to serve as a platform for filmmakers to present their work to critics, industry figures, and cinema enthusiasts from across the world.