Silent Friend
KinoFest 2026
Director: Ildikó Enyedi
Writer: Ildikó Enyedi
Age Rating: T16
Language: In German with English and Vietnamese subtitles
In the heart of a botanical garden in a historic university town stands a majestic ginkgo tree, silently observing three human journeys across more than a century. In 1908, a pioneering female student discovers sacred botanical patterns through early photography. In 1972, a young student undergoes an internal awakening simply by observing a plant, while in 2020, a visiting neuroscientist from Hong Kong embarks on a groundbreaking experiment with the ancient tree. Elegantly interweaving science, human vulnerability, and the plant world, the film offers a sublimely shot meditation on time, perception, and the longing to belong.
Awards / Trivia / Notes
- Venice International Film Festival 2025: Official Competition (Golden Lion), FIPRESCI Prize & Green Drop Award
- Official Hungarian Entry for Best International Feature Film at the 99th Academy Awards (Oscars 2027)
- Chicago International Film Festival 2025: Silver Hugo for Best Cinematography (Gergely Pálos)
- Starring world-renowned actors Tony Leung Chiu-wai and Léa Seydoux