Silent Friend

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Margaret May 30 Gorgeous movie full of symbolism and striking imagery. The cast/acting is exceptional as is the writing and music. The one tiny beef I have is the sound editing and how the plant sound effects (showing their sped up growth) was too much - same sounds but quieter would have been more effective imo. But that's nitpicking, and no reason to skip this film. It's about life and what it means to be alive, and it's brilliant. See it! See more Melissa May 17 A movie with a grand theory about what unites us to the world around us. I dont think it really delivers on that theory and they kind of just stay theoretical. See more Wayne M @Wayne93 Jul 10 Silent Friend is a thoughtful and contemplative film. It is slow and a little long and lacks narrative dynamism, but it's a fascinating watch. The film is written and directed by Hungarian film maker Ildiko Enyedi and is set in Marburg University, Germany over three distinct time periods. In 1908 Grete attempts to become the first woman to attend the university, she fights dicrimination at each turn. In 1972 Hannes is a student and is smitten with Gundula, who entrusts him with her plants when she goes away. In 2020 Tony Wong travels to the university to lecture, but is stranded there when COVID hits. He stays on and changes his study in new circumstances. All three are connected by nature and especially a massive Gingko tree that grows on the campus. This film is about humans and their connection to nature, specifically plants. It's a very smart film with plenty to offer, even if it's slightly inert at times. See more Josh G @RT71960131 Jul 6 Okay, for starters, I’m not a marvel fan or something. I like slow burn art house films as much as the next cortado sippin’ coastal resident. But come on. Three stories, none of which ended in a satisfying conclusion? 2.5 hours to end in a tree orgasm captured on brain film? No thank you. Like, what even happened to the poor German dude who probably should have been a bit more assertive in making a move while his not yet girlfriend went on a backpacking trip with three other dudes. Spoiler alert she probably banged one of them. Or the lady in the beginning who maybe went on an expedition? That’s the story? Man. So disappointing. The buildup was good and the movie was shot beautifully, and each story had moments of interest, but like all of these cross-time dramas (cough cloud atlas), we never end up anywhere except short 2.5 hours of our precious waking lives. Skip it and watch obsession or something. Haven’t seen that one but I bet the protagonist gets laid. See more Alex L @RT59713965 Jul 3 The cinematography and slow pacing were refreshing, and in abstract on paper the premise sounds like a great story. However the story fails to really deliver on it, the tree isn’t clearly involved in all the story arcs, and some of the extra neuro/visualizer shots get to be a bit much. Maybe the film was trying to say too much too slowly and parts went over our heads, but the parts that did stick felt incomplete. I enjoyed the film, but my partner didn’t, and the only other audience member gave up an hour and a half in. Bit of a clash with the nothing but positive critical reviews and awards. I stayed for the pace and cinematography, and the plants. (I’m a plant ecologist, so in my lane) See more Howie B @Howie10 Jul 2 What a find this movie was. Spanning three time periods with the common theme of plants and trees this film follows three people’s association with the plant kingdom. Unusually captivating with distinct filming to represent perfectly the three years depicted. All the stories are strong and full of messaging. Whether or not any of the botanical science is proven is unimportant as it just poses what ‘could be’ if it isn’t discovered fact at this time. See more Read all reviews

Silent Friend

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