Silent Friend

Hungarian director Ildikó Enyedi is one of the most celebrated filmmakers of her country and her visually beautiful and meditative drama Silent Friend is among the finest works of her career. 

The film explores the relationship between people, science, and nature across three different time periods.

At the center of the story is an ancient ginkgo tree growing in the botanical garden of Marburg University where it connects three characters searching for a sense of belonging. In 1908, Grete dreams of studying botany at a time when women faced strong prejudice at universities. In 1972, the lonely Hannes becomes interested in plant consciousness. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Hong Kong neuroscientist Tony Wong remains alone on campus and begins studying the tree’s electromagnetic signals.

The stories come together in a poetic reflection on how people see, understand, and connect with the world around them. Nature is not just a background element but an essential part of human life. The characters turn to the natural world for understanding and comfort during difficult times.

Enyedi gives each period its own visual style, from the warm look of film to the sharp clarity of digital images. The film also features performances by iconic Léa Seydoux and Tony Leung Chiu-wai.

Silent Friend is a quiet, thoughtful, and visually striking masterpiece and an ode to curiosity, patience, and observation.

Espoo Ciné