Silent Friend

‘A feast for the eyes’, is how one American reviewer described this ambitious and audacious film, which spans more than a century. In three parts, Hungarian director Ildikó Enyedi tells a story about a tree, the relationship between humans and nature, the relationship between men and women, and the passing of time. To emphasise that last theme, she portrays each era differently: in black and white on 35mm, in colour on 16mm and finally in digital images. Starring Luna Wedler, Enzo Brumm, Léa Seydoux and Tony Leung.

In the botanical garden of the University of Marburg in Germany stands an enormous ginkgo tree, silently watching everything that happens pass before its eyes. Thus the tree witnesses how, in 1908, Grete becomes the first woman to enrol at the university, a veritable male stronghold. She has a keen interest in botanical photography.

In 1972, literature student Hannes falls in love with biology student Gundula, who is conducting research into geraniums. When she has to leave, Hannes promises to keep an eye on her research and her geraniums. As he does so, he develops a special bond with the plant.

In 2020, neuroscientist Tony Wong from Hong Kong travels to Marburg for a guest lecture. But then the covid pandemic breaks out, and Wong finds himself stranded at a virtually deserted university. Online, he discovers the work of biologist Alice, who is investigating whether plants have feelings. Wong decides to test her ideas on the ancient ginkgo tree.