Xinjiang Roots of Enigmatic New Film

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As a young lad hailing from a secluded village nestled in China’s Xinjiang region, I can vividly recall the pivotal moment that ignited my passion for filmmaking. Growing up in one of the nation’s few multicultural communities, far removed from the urban allure of its modern metropolises, my initial exposure to cinema was confined to the sanitized mainstream movies aired on Chinese state television. However, it was not until I ventured beyond these boundaries that I truly discovered the power and potential of storytelling through film.

approaching the end of my high school years, a buddy handed me an overflowing hard drive packed with downloaded films – a treasure trove featuring masterpieces from Chinese directors like Zhang Yimou, Chen Kaige, Wong Kar-wai, and Johnnie To, but also unknown names that were entirely new to me: Emir Kusturica, Abbas Kiarostami, Terrence Malick, Satyajit Ray, and more.

Yi expresses amazement, describing it as a transformative moment that altered his perspective on the world, following his immersion in his friend’s treasure trove of classic films. He admits he was unaware that movies could be so extraordinary.

After departing from his rural village for higher education in Beijing, Yi found himself yearning for the tranquil lifestyle and grand landscapes of home, specifically Xinjiang. To convey these feelings, he started dabbling with cameras and creating homemade short films. His passion for cinema blossomed, eventually leading him to enroll in advanced film studies at China’s renowned Beijing Film Academy.

In the Generation Kplus section of the Berlin Film Festival this week, Li’s first full-length film, titled “The Botanist“, makes its debut. This enigmatic and captivating piece from a remarkable filmmaker with a distinctive background offers an experience that lives up to expectations. The story unfolds in the stunning landscapes of Xinjiang, where it’s hard to put into words.

The plot revolves around Arsin, a Kazakh boy who feels isolated and finds solace in plants and age-old folklore from his missing uncle. His tranquil life is disrupted by the arrival of Meiyu, a lively Chinese girl whose presence brings him comfort, friendship, and a sense of bewilderment. The two embark on an exploration of their surroundings, sharing unspoken feelings, and viewing their valley as if it were an endless ocean. However, when Arsin learns that Meiyu will be leaving for a boarding school in Shanghai, he is once again left alone to confront the modern transformations that are slowly affecting his village’s delicate existence.

At the Beijing Film Academy, Yi gained the endorsement of Chinese art house actor Bi Gan, whose film “Long Day’s Journey Into Night” was a hit at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival. Bi’s impact, alongside that of Malick, Kiarostami, and Ray, is noticeable in the nuanced aspects of “The Botanist”. After watching and appreciating some of Yi’s short films, Bi took on a mentoring role for the budding director, offering feedback on the script and early edit of “The Botanist”.

Today, Bi can’t help but lavish praise on Li’s first piece, describing it as “both straightforward and deep.” He elaborates: “Arsin and Meiyu are not merely characters; they serve as points of expression. Their countenances hold both recollection and remoteness. However, Li’s main character is something more substantial: the complex layers of Xinjiang. His work skillfully reveals the time difference between tradition and modernity, the geographical divide between inland and coast, and the ethereal spiritual space that separates reality from fantasy.

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2025-02-20 03:55