Silent Friend

A mighty gingko tree in a German university town bears silent witness to the lives of three characters over more than a century. In 1908, a bright botanist (Luna Wedler, Best Young Actress, Venice 2025) forges a challenging path as the first female student accepted by the male-dominated institution. In 1972, two classmates bond over a geranium in politically charged times. And in 2020, a lonely visiting neuroscientist (Tony Leung), stuck on campus, seeks meaning from the tree’s electromagnetic signals under the guidance of a French biologist (Léa Seydoux). Oscar-nominated SFF regular Ildikó Enyedi returns in resplendent form with this perceptive exploration of humanity’s deep-rooted connection with nature.