link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7\_ieOkl-gE Great subject matter. From a journalistic perspective, it's a great documentary. I wish there was more films tackling post-soviet regions. I feel like, Russia isn't being condemned enough for its imperialism, people need to see the consequences. However, from a filmmaking perspective, I find a disconnect between the overall style of the film, and the material shown in it. I feel like the tone is completely wrong, the music doesn't fit, and in fact, this could be much better with a more simplistic style. I feel like a film must convey the main protagonist's worldview, but The Botanist makes me feel like the director is trying to provoke reaction from the audience, make the story look more sad than it really is. I mean, don't get me wrong, it is sad, but it's sad in the way life is. But this style makes it all look too 'cinematic' and kinda superficial.