"Silent Friend": When One Remarkable Tree Steals the Show

About thirty years ago, Brit Thomas Pakenham had an unlikely hit with his book, “Meetings With Remarkable Trees," which turned him into a bit of an arborial rockstar. Abandoning usual botanical categorization, Pakenham divided trees into five groupings that felt more like a fairy tale: natives, travelers, shrines, fantasies, survivors. It wouldn't be surprising if Hungarian director Ildikó Enyedi had this book on her shelf. The enchanting Ginkgo biloba that weaves together her new film “Silent Friend,” fits all these categories at different times.

Enyedi's recent movie surprises us by making us think not just about how we see our green companions, but also how they see us. We promise it's not as outlandish as it sounds, in fact, it gets intriguing, perhaps even a bit titillating. The film might sound too whimsical, but it's as grounded as the verdant beings it aims to celebrate. It encourages viewers to pay closer attention to the wonder of plants, much like its lead characters who learn to sync their lives with the gentle rhythm of Mother Nature.

The narrative revolves around a gigantic, ancient gingko (honest to goodness, played by three real ginkgos located in Marburg, central Germany). But don't worry, it's not just about a tree! Weaved into the leafy tapestry is Tony Leung Chiu-Wai, starring as a visiting Hong Kong neuroscientist, Tony Wong. He tries to keep his research afloat during the sudden 2020 COVID lockdown, all while exploring the captivating theories of plant communication by French scientist Alice Sauvage (Léa Seydoux).

The ginkgo also serves as a silent observer across different timelines, inspiring humans to uncover their plant-communicating personas. In 1908, the first female student Grete (Luna Wedler), gains admission at the university, facing misogynistic roadblocks with level-headedness. Her interest in botany leads to an intimate understanding of flora that plays out artistically in her part-time photography job.

Flash forward to the balmy summer of 1972, awkward student Hannes (Enzo Brumm) falls head over heels for hippie Gundula (Marlene Burow), who's ahead of her time researching plants' reaction to human interaction. Hannes, initially skeptical, soon discovers that he's not alone when in the company of Gundula's geranium.

If this all sounds like a wild trip through a lush dreamland, it's because it is. "Silent Friend" captures an alternate view of the world beneath the veneer of reality, inviting audiences to join this mystical experience. The three stories are cleverly interwoven, bathing us in ambient vibes through vibrant visual elements. The cinematographer Gergely Pálos expertly switches among monochrome 35mm, colorful 16mm, and sharp digital images, blurring periods and moods impeccably.

Ultimately, "Silent Friend" doesn't strive for a traditional narrative peak. Rather, it delivers a sensory symphony, unfolding layer by layer, chapter by chapter. Everything from the sound design to the exhilarating score elevates the visuals of a thriving plant life and dynamic computer monitoring. Enyedi pumps pure passion into the exploration of botany and biology, revealing the hidden, pulsating life of the plant world. Watching this film feels like a big, warm, hilarious love letter to our leafy companions, and you'll want to give the next tree you see a hearty, appreciative hug.