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The Botanist

Play trailer Poster for The Botanist 2025 1h 36m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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Tomatometer 5 Reviews Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
Set in a remote village in Xinjiang, China, THE BOTANIST follows a young Kazakh boy named Arsin, who finds solace in the company of plants. He soon meets Meiyu, a spirited Han girl whose unpredictable nature reminds him of a rare, otherworldly plant. As their friendship blossoms, it deepens into a delicate, dreamlike allegory that blurs the lines between reality and the enchanting world of botany.

Critics Reviews

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Jordan Mintzer The Hollywood Reporter 02/19/2025
Jing has a knack for capturing the beauty of bucolic living, especially when you’re still young like Arsin and receptive to nature’s embrace. But the world of the film can seem so ethereal that it often risks slipping through our fingers. Go to Full Review Vikram Murthi IndieWire 02/18/2025
B-
Humanity’s tender, fraught relationship with the natural world has a storied history on film, but in “The Botanist,” it can sometimes feel like an unearned shortcut to grazing the sublime. Go to Full Review Panos Kotzathanasis Asian Movie Pulse Sep 29
6
While “The Botanist” resists traditional storytelling, the coming-of-age and romance at its center keep it grounded, preventing it from becoming overly abstract. The beauty of the scenery and the realism in the presentation work in the same direction. Go to Full Review John Berra Screen International 02/27/2025
A paean to nature which overflows with bucolic imagery but soon runs dry on cohesive narrative, The Botanist nonetheless marks an auspicious debut for writer-director Jing Yi. Go to Full Review Rory O'Connor The Film Stage 02/17/2025
As transportive a slice of summer melancholy as one could ask for. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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J J @RT54021238 1d The Botanist (2026) is a drama film that tells the story of a Kazakh boy named Arsin, set in a remote village in Xinjiang. This film introduces you to the world of plants, showcasing the culture, beliefs, and traditions associated with them. It's a portrayal of daily life, exploring themes like friendship, loneliness, isolation, and solace. The film visually and symbolically presents its story with minimal dialogue and cast. It features silence, long static shots, and deliberate pauses. If this kind of storytelling appeals to you, then this film will work for you; otherwise, like me, you might fall asleep after two or three scenes. This film pushes the boundaries of art and craft, capturing mountains, rivers, and trees in beautiful frames. Watching it provides an experience of serenity. This film is not for everyone; some might like it, others might not. See more Read all reviews
The Botanist

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Cast & Crew

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Jing Yi

Director

Yesl Jahseleh

Actor

Ren Zihan

Actor

Jalen Nurdaolet

Actor

Sarhet Eramazan

Actor

Songhat Jomajan

Actor
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The Botanist

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Movie Info

Synopsis Set in a remote village in Xinjiang, China, THE BOTANIST follows a young Kazakh boy named Arsin, who finds solace in the company of plants. He soon meets Meiyu, a spirited Han girl whose unpredictable nature reminds him of a rare, otherworldly plant. As their friendship blossoms, it deepens into a delicate, dreamlike allegory that blurs the lines between reality and the enchanting world of botany.
Director
Jing Yi
Producer
Zuolong Shan, Qi Ai
Screenwriter
Jing Yi
Genre
Drama
Original Language
Chinese
Runtime
1h 36m