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Silent Friend

Play trailer Poster for Silent Friend 2025 2h 25m Biography Drama History Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 19 Reviews Popcornmeter 0 Ratings
In the heart of a botanical garden in a medieval university town in Germany stands a majestic ginkgo tree. This silent witness has observed over a century the quiet rhythms of transformation across three human lives. 2020, a neuroscientist from Hong Kong, exploring the mind of babies, begins an unexpected experiment with the old tree. 1972, a young student is profoundly changed by the simple act of observing and connecting with a geranium. 1908, the university’s first female student discovers, through the lens of photography, sacred patterns of the universe hidden within the humblest of plants. We follow their clumsy, awkward attempts to connect -- each one of them deeply rooted in their own present - as they are transformed by the quiet, enduring, and mysterious power of nature. The ancient ginkgo tree brings us closer to what it means to be human -- to our longing to belong.

Critics Reviews

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Peter Sobczynski RogerEbert.com Oct 23
It’s a true original, one of those cinematic events that, once seen, will not be easily forgotten. Go to Full Review Leila Latif IndieWire Sep 10
B
Tony Leung Again Proves Why He’s One of the Greats Go to Full Review Jonathan Romney Screen International Sep 5
While the three sections don’t tie up narratively, nor strictly conclude as such, they leave plenty of ideas in their wake -- and a multitude of entrancing images. Go to Full Review Alex Heeney Seventh Row Nov 25
Brimming with ideas about human isolation and connection, the human fascination with trees and using science to understand the mysteries of the world, and how, as the saying goes, the more things change, the more they remain the same Go to Full Review Amelia Harvey That Hashtag Show Nov 3
70%
Silent Friend is an entrancing experience best enjoyed when you sit back and let it wash over you. Enyedi knows how to create a visual experience, mixing poetic dialogue, deadpan humor, and a calming soundtrack. Go to Full Review Helen Hawkins The Arts Desk Oct 20
...it’s a beautifully realised, gently teasing film, full of striking images and a mesmerising turn from Leung, that you ultimately understand is about the power of friendship and collaboration. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Cast & Crew

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Ildikó Enyedi

Director

Tony Leung Chiu Wai

Actor

Luna Wedler

Actor

Enzo Brumm

Actor

Sylvester Groth

Actor

Martin Wuttke

Actor
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Silent Friend

Silent Friend (2025) Silent Friend (2025) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis In the heart of a botanical garden in a medieval university town in Germany stands a majestic ginkgo tree. This silent witness has observed over a century the quiet rhythms of transformation across three human lives. 2020, a neuroscientist from Hong Kong, exploring the mind of babies, begins an unexpected experiment with the old tree. 1972, a young student is profoundly changed by the simple act of observing and connecting with a geranium. 1908, the university’s first female student discovers, through the lens of photography, sacred patterns of the universe hidden within the humblest of plants. We follow their clumsy, awkward attempts to connect -- each one of them deeply rooted in their own present - as they are transformed by the quiet, enduring, and mysterious power of nature. The ancient ginkgo tree brings us closer to what it means to be human -- to our longing to belong.
Director
Ildikó Enyedi
Producer
Reinhard Brundig, Mónika Mécs, Nicolas Elghozi, Meng Xie
Screenwriter
Ildikó Enyedi
Production Co
Pandora Film, Inforg-M&M Film, Galatée Films, Rediance
Genre
Biography, Drama, History
Original Language
German
Runtime
2h 25m