The tension between individuality and conformity is traditionally one of the main subjects tackled in art, and with good reason – who better than artists know how difficult it is to fit in? Who is better positioned to address the difficulties in staying true to one’s personality and dreams within a society that is bent on making us conform and act the way our parents, friends and spouses expect us to?

Xixi is screening at Busan International Film Festival

Such tension lies at the heart of “Xixi”, a thoughtful documentary that looks at the life of an eponymous Chinese dancer and improvisation artist living in Europe. Xixi is the archetype of the bohemian woman, who cannot stay put for long in one place and hitchhikes her way through countries and life. She sees herself as a wandering artist and a free soul, one who doesn’t care for such trivial things as having money,...