Silent Friend

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.

WINNER OF 6 AWARDS AT 2025 VENICE FILM FESTIVAL!

Marcello Mastrioanno Award: Best Young Actor or Actress - Luna Wedler

FIPRESCI Prize, Green Drop Award, CinemaSarà Award, Edipo Re Award, Interfilm Award: Interfilm Award for Promoting Interreligious Dialogue - Ildikó Enyedi

"With an outlook disarmingly poised between the dreamy and the matter-of-fact, it presents a different way of seeing, and indeed feeling, the world around us, and merely invites its audience to follow along." - Variety

"It’s a true original, one of those cinematic events that, once seen, will not be easily forgotten." - RogerEbert.com

Directed by: Ildikó Enyedi

Running time: 147 min

Country: Germany, Hungary, France, China

Year: 2025

Language: English, German, Cantonese

Starring: Tony Leung Chiu-wai, Luna Wedler, Enzo Brumm

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