Yahoo Lifestyle Berlin-Bound ‘The Botanist’ Lands at Magnify for Global Sales (EXCLUSIVE)
Magnify has landed worldwide sales rights (excluding mainland China, China Taiwan, Hong Kong SAR & Macao SAR) to helmer Yi Jing’s directorial debut “The Botanist,” ahead of its world premiere in the Berlin Film Festival’s Generation Kplus competition.
The coming-of-age tale, set in a remote village in China’s Xinjiang region, follows a young Kazakh boy named Arsin who develops a deep connection with plants. His life takes a turn when he meets Meiyu, a Han Chinese girl whose free spirit he likens to a mysterious plant. Their friendship unfolds into what’s described as a dreamlike allegory that weaves between reality and botanical fantasy.
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The film is produced by Shan Zuolong, known for Bi Gan’s arthouse hit “Long Day’s Journey Into Night,” alongside Ai Qi. The creative team includes composer Peyman Yazdanian (“Hit the Road”), editor Yaonan Liu (“The Great Phuket”) and lenser Fannong Li.
“Jing Yi’s debut film is a remarkable discovery, a tender tale enhanced by breathtaking photography and unique, plant-filled scenery,” said Magnify senior VP of Global Sales, Lorna Lee Torres. “This vibrant storybook journey explores philosophical questions across generations, offering a visual and narrative treasure that will captivate audiences.”
Yi is a Beijing Film Academy grad who hails from Xinjiang. The project previously picked up the New Horse Award at Busan’s Asian Project Market in 2023 and secured post-production coin from the Doha Film Institute.
“I’m thrilled to be joining the Magnify family, which demonstrates once again that human emotions and destinies can be shared and borne with each other across regions,” said Yi. “In the face of life’s increasing suspension of disbelief, I hope this film brings comfort to as many people as possible in its humble, heartfelt way.”
Magnify’s Torres and director of global sales Austin Kennedy will launch sales efforts at the upcoming Berlinale. The pickup adds to the company’s slate, which includes Sundance-bound “Obex” from Albert Birney and animated feature “Endless Cookie” by Seth and Peter Scriver.
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