Silent Friend
Synopsis
Nestled in the heart of a university campus in Germany, a majestic gingko tree stands tall. Bearing silent witness to the school’s history and the lives of the people that have passed through its halls, the stately plant serves as a kind of nexus that connects three characters across time: in 1908, the college’s first female student observes hidden patterns in plant life through photography; in 1972, a young student is profoundly changed by observing and cataloging the behavior of a geranium; in 2020, a neuroscientist (Tony Leung) in Covid lockdown begins a series of unexpected botanical experiments. Could the trees be watching us?
Seamlessly toggling between time periods, Silent Friend is a century-spanning exploration of humanity’s fascination with nature’s greatest mysteries. Featuring a stellar ensemble cast and a winsome sense of wonder, the film is a thoughtful meditation on longing, belonging, and what it means to be human.
Screenings & Events
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Film Credits
- Reinhard Brundig, Monika Mécs, Nicolas Elghozi
- Ildikó Enyedi
- Károly Szalai
- Gergely Pálos
- Tony Leung Chiu-Wai, Luna Wedler, Enzo Brumm, Sylvester Groth, Martin Wuttke, Johannes Hegemann, Rainer Bock, Léa Seydoux
- Gábor Keresztes, Kristóf Kelemen
- Pandora Film, Inforg-M&M Film, Galatée Films
Sponsors
Program Patron
John and Jacolyn Bucksbaum Family Foundation
With support from






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