Synopsis: The Bodhi Tree in Bosch’s Garden’ is a film tracing the artist’s exploration of her father’s art archive made during the ‘90s. In her attempt to grasp the meaning of his notes and works, Maia relied on the cultural mediation of her best friend Yezi. Throughout their exploration, they encounter a series of peculiar absurdities. Yezi deeply resonates with both the work and the life story of Maia’s father, whom Maia herself barely knows. This triggers a complex interplay of appropriation, projection, intimidation, and admiration among the three characters — the father’s artworks, the daughter, and the friend. Their interactions form a composition, continually shifting by their perceptions of one another and the inherent gaps that emerge. Within this dynamic, the camera plays a crucial role as a fourth character, intensifying frictions between life and art, identity, migration and its disillusionments, anarchist dreams and institutional structures.
Year of production 2024
Production Countries and Regions The Netherlands Belgium
Duration 40 mins
Genres Experimental Documentary
Language(s) English Mandarin Dutch French with
English subtitles
Director(s) Maia Liu
Find more film info and curators' notes on the MINT CFF website