Les filles du botaniste (2006) Reviews

• tastefully done story of forbidden love

  wzinsm2009-01-04

  This story of lesbian love in a culture that forbids it is sensual and erotic without being uncomfortably graphic. It's also slow-moving, so if you're watching just for the physical stuff, be prepared to wait a long while and then be disappointed. The cinematography is beautiful and the gradual build-up makes the romantic feelings seem more real. If you're bothered by a little male-bashing, avoid this film, because to say that both the male characters are unpleasant jerks is putting it mildly. However, interactions with the men serve to expand the story a bit beyond just the relationship between the women. I recommend this film if you can be patient with the pace.

• Based on an actual event in China (some spoilers)

  kathik2008-03-11

  Many comments seem to be skeptical about what happens in the film. In an interview, the director said, "The story is based on an actual event. A long time ago I had been reading an article from the local news in a Chinese paper. Two young women - lovers - that worked together at a factory were sentenced to death for the murder of one woman's father..." The director made a beautiful film about this situation, and said, "I wanted to tell the story of what it is like to lose the right to love, as can happen in any time and any place." Because he could not film this in China, it was filmed in Vietnam. I found the film not quite perfect, but well done and extremely lush in its settings. I give it 8 out of 10!

• breath taking

  dark_willow_72007-07-18

  I stumbled upon this movie last week and just happened to finish it yesterday. Have to say, out of those loud, CGI filled films and those typical LGBT movies i've watched recently, "The Chinese Botanist's daughter" is a pleasant treat. The story starts with Min Li-a half Chinese half Russian orphan who lives in the post war period of China. She's going to intern for one of the best Chinese botanist there is. And once she arrives she notices that her internship is not going to be easy. The professor is a much perfectionist person with short temper-which would be shorten a lot more when it comes to untraditional behavior. But despite all that, during her stay in the exotic garden, Li finds herself attracted to An-the botanist's daughter. Their bond grows stronger and their love blossoms alongside this beautiful landscape. However things turn ugly when Li has to marry the botanist's son in order to never leave the garden (so she could live with An after her intern ends). And the conservative society has very little place for the both of them. The story seems solid enough, nothing extremely special or stand out here but it's soft while intense, exotic yet tender, traditional yet manages to has very different feeling. Its visual is absolutely stunning and full of desire. I have seen so many "oriental landscape" embedded films but not many comes close to be this sexy and spiritual. Of course this was filmed in Vietnam and not China but it's hardly an argument here. The director definitely has eyes and heart. The acting flows well, the characters come out quite naturally. The girls really are victims of their times, so it's sadden seeing them trying their best for love and survival. However, even though some scene can be more than cruel or brutal and makes your heart jump, it's strangely up-lifting in the kindest way. Once in a while this movie appears to be a little bit distracting with cut-away scene and long silent moment, but we all have taste and style i guess. Of course, what's risky about this movie is that it's very cultural oriented. It's not that "if you're not Chinese, you won't understand". Surely one will know that "it was that way at that time in that country" but still, the culture aspect will make one with experience or understanding about China less depress than one who don't. Certain characters might appear two-dimensional and the cruelty shall frustrate the viewers. But it is a quite small factor, and if you're already interested, don't let this stop you watching. This is a great film that actually has style. Even if you're not a fan of LGBT films, The Chinese botanist's daughter has potential to be appealing to open-minded movie lovers. If you're against homosexuality...well, i can't see why you would wandering here and read my comment to this point. I know art can sometimes change the world and people's mind set but i'm not gonna try.

• Beautiful love story in beautiful landscapes

  rockforsale2006-05-24

  The photography in this film is one of the best I've seen in years. Though the story, at first, sounded too simple, I must admit the actors and director did a wonderful job. There is a small gap (5 minutes long) when you do wonder where the story goes. But it quickly catches up. (that's why it got an 8). The emotion ran high in the movie-theater and all left quite moved. Some fought back tears. It is a movie on love. And a beautiful one too. As a romantic film, with its beautiful landscapes, camera moves, photography, this would be a perfect start to an evening. Also, the music score does ad to it, without taking over.

• Exceptionally Poetic Portrayal of the Last Eden of Asia: I love this movie

  jkujo2009-07-14

  It is an exquisite work. With an incredible cinematography and both casts are exceptionally well fit for the part they play. It is very hard not to learn to love Mylène Jampanoï who plays Li Min She is an exceptionally precious asset to Asian Love Stories of highly spiritual contents that requires subtle but sublime or even ethereal quality. Sad and lonely look in her eyes in contrast to such girlish and intimate gaits with energetic down to earth acting makes her endearing image to retain a very special place in every viewer's heart of both genders her muted whispers in search of love can be heard time after times like a poem. It's a hauntingly beautiful story too but very sad and heart breaking with a sudden shocking and apathetic ending for those understands that how much the relationship meant to Li Min, The Conservative society was so unforgiving to them in such a way that the Chinese society could not offer a space for them to survive. It would surely cause a traumatic sorrow to everyone grew up in Japan to find out Li Min and Chen An were put to death. Only if they had lived in the community knowing the fact that they could have found their perfect paradise in Kyoto Japan and worked together as long as they wanted. It was considered perfectly normal for a couple of court ladies to share a bed room and bath whilst in service to the imperial court. Japan has a long history of parthenocratie blossomed amongst highly privileged members worked in the court in ancient imperial capital 'Kyoto' from the Hei An Era (meaning Periode for "peace and tranquility" It still continues to be an elegant and definitely most popular and lenient city for female couples. Lush and ancient gardens of average age of 1000 years old. Luscious landscapes and uni-sexed sweet sounding dialect makes it a Heaven for young couple like Li Min and Chen An. Only the requiring for them to become wealthy and affluent was to be born or adapted into a noble family and work for a crowned princess as lady in waiting. There were in fact generous princesses who would accept a pair to be employed at the same time. There is a silk screen painting of a female couple of court ladies on the Great Gojo bridge holding hands in a summer evening watching fire works. Such a scene comes out quite naturally and blends well into this 1200 years old city built around ancient tradition catering to Imperial family, lord chamberlains, lord reagents and court ladies including those who preferred same sex companions. Relationships amongst Female were not penalised elsewhere in the world either Orient(Japan) or Europe (Sweden) in human history. They have been protected by sovereign monarch since such relationship were more readily blossomed in highly privileged or educated environment such as in and between princess and lady in waiting, court poets, court musicians and likes amongst those who are blessed with exceptional beauty like Li Min (Venus) and An Chen (Diane). When a woman look for a soul of mother in another woman, such bond can grow often stronger than relationship with a male. I as a bystander, can almost visualise their ethereal love precipitate and purify, then crystallise into a precious jewel. Mylène Jampanoï impresses every viewers with such a captivating screenplay so real and natural She is simply outstanding! Throughout my life, I have never seen a such an exceptionally perfect mixture of both Eastern and Western worlds in any one person to this date. Needless to mention even in 1116 models whom I photographed for Pinup and Calendar market between 1980 and 1994 in San Francisco Bay Area. No one has even come a halfway near to such an incredible perfection in projecting beauties from the both side of worlds with such balance and harmony that I find in this actress. I was so stunned and could not help but repeatedly keep asking myself "What Have I done with my life?" "have I been a blind or sleeping all these years? You have to be very patient and watch the entire length of movie to understand her indispensable assets that are uniquely of her own due to the fact that her incredible beauty comes out to afore from her soul. Look for an intimate smile filled with warmth and bliss in the scene by the temple where she releases 108 doves into the sky with Chen An. Once you discover her inner beauty it is very hard for anyone regardless of gender or age not to love her. Her image will stay behind your eyes for days. Sadly there is only one Mylène in this entire world of 6 billion people. I am a mixture of oriental and occidental myself but I look more oriental except for my mouth snd nose. In fact I am extremely envious of her parents for being blessed with a daughter with such extraordinary ability, beauty, talents and wisdom. It always has been one of my life long dream to have children with more perfect mixture from the both worlds, I married an American lady of Germanic heritage. But all our children look more like occidental with a long and pointed nose along with turquoise blue eyes not harmoniously blend in with oriental crowds.