The Chinese Botanist’s Daughters

Completed2006France, Canada105 min

Min arrives at an isolated island to learn botany from a demanding teacher. His daughter An has spent years within the same restricted world,…Read more +Read less −

Min arrives at an isolated island to learn botany from a demanding teacher. His daughter An has spent years within the same restricted world, and the newcomer offers companionship that neither woman expected. Their shared days among the plants gradually become an intimate relationship, forcing them to protect feelings that their household and wider society refuse to accept. As the professor’s authority presses in, the women look for a way to remain together without exposing their secret. Set in China, this French-Canadian period drama places the lovers’ private hopes against the dangers of a life controlled by others.

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Drama Romance

Sapphic characters & cast

Mylène Jampanoï

as Min Li

Main sapphic character

Performer publicity portrait via Rotten Tomatoes; photographer/rights unverified

Li Xiaoran

as Cheng An

Main sapphic character

Performer publicity portrait via Rotten Tomatoes; photographer/rights unverified

YOUR FIRST LOOK

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BEHIND THE SCENES

Details & credits

Country: France, Canada
Language: Mandarin
Premiere: 2006-04-26
Runtime: 105 minutes

EuropaCorp promotional poster via Unifrance; rights unverified

Artwork source & permission status

Editorial review approved — rights not independently confirmed

EuropaCorp promotional poster via Unifrance; rights unverified

Original publication ↗

Sources & editorial notes (3)

Last researched 2026-11-03. Editorially approved.

year: Film production/distributor/festival: identity and substantive sapphic lead evidence, checked 2026-11-03
genres: Film production/distributor/festival: identity and substantive sapphic lead evidence, checked 2026-11-03
status: Film production/distributor/festival: identity and substantive sapphic lead evidence, checked 2026-11-03
country: Film production/distributor/festival: identity and substantive sapphic lead evidence, checked 2026-11-03
language: Film production/distributor/festival: identity and substantive sapphic lead evidence, checked 2026-11-03
description: Film production/distributor/festival: identity and substantive sapphic lead evidence, checked 2026-11-03
trailer url: Exact film MUBI trailer page with nonempty film-specific trailer asset; checked 2026-11-03
western cast: Exact film cast and character / selected release reference; namesake and edition checks in notes
premiere date: Exact film cast and character / selected release reference; namesake and edition checks in notes
runtime minutes: Film production/distributor/festival: identity and substantive sapphic lead evidence, checked 2026-11-03
representation type: Film production/distributor/festival: identity and substantive sapphic lead evidence, checked 2026-11-03