Silent Friend brilliantly weaves three stories over different time periods loosely connected by an old ginkgo tree in a German university, together they highlight the connectivity of all living things in the natural world including humanity.
Silent Friend brilliantly weaves three stories over different time periods loosely connected by an old ginkgo tree in a German university, together they highlight the connectivity of all living things in the natural world including humanity.
The first story, which is set in 2020, is about Dr. Tony Wong (Tony Leung Chiu-wai) who is a neurologist attending Marburg University in Germany to further his research into the brain activity of babies. Shortly after arriving at the university, COVID-19 lockdowns begin and he and the caretaker, Anton (Sylvester Groth), become the only residents of the university.
Unable to continue his research, Tony is fascinated with an old ginkgo tree in the university’s gardens which was first planted in 1832. He seeks out the advice of a botanist, Dr. Alice Sauvage (Léa Seydoux) to tie his research into the activity of the ginkgo tree suspecting there is a connection between nature and human brain activity. As he attaches brain scanners to the tree, Anton is concerned and suspicious of the research.
The second story, set in 1908 is about Grete (Luna Wedler) who is seeking to become Marburg University’s first female student. To do so she is forced to endure the botanic department’s professor’s interview panel who attempt to humiliate her with sexually loaded questions about plant reproduction. Afterwards in the university’s gardens which includes the old ginkgo tree, she finds out she has been accepted.
After attending a female-only early morning gathering at the ginkgo tree, she is accused of promiscuity from the landlady she is renting a room from and is forced to leave. She finds a job as an assistant to photographer Herr Fuchs (Martin Wuttke) and lodges with him. As she learns more about photography, she begins to apply it to her studies.
The third story is set in 1972 and is about Hannes (Enzo Brumm) who lives in a shared house near the university and spends a lot of time reading near the ginkgo tree. One of the other students sharing the house is Gundula (Marlene Burow) who is doing research into how humans and plants interact using a geranium as her test subject which is attached to sensors. After some awkward interactions between Hannes and Gundula, she leaves on a trip and she also leaves Hannes in charge of the geranium giving him strict instructions. However, Hannes overwhelms it and after it displays a strong reaction, he improves the sensor’s functioning such that it can open the gate to the house’s garden.
Written and directed by Ildikó Enyedi, she tells three stories expertly cutting between them skilfully, perhaps just becoming a little laboured by the end of the two and a half hours.
All three stories appear differently to reflect their periods. Grete’s story is told in black and white, Hannes’ story in slightly grainy but warm textures and Tony’s story in full modern clarity. All three are a testament to Gergely Pálos’ masterly cinematography. The stories are outstandingly acted.
Silent Friend is about seeking connection with others and nature and as the world faces the dramatic effects of climate change this becomes more important everyday. Silent Friend is a very good film and should be widely seen.
Reviewed by Rob McKinnon
Rating 4.5 out of 5
Distributor: 1-2 Special
