Can plants sense us? Silent Friend explores their hidden communication across a century

A new film titled Silent Friend will premiere in cinemas on January 15. Directed by Hungarian filmmaker Ildikó Enyedi, the movie explores whether plants (plants) can sense human presence and respond to those who care for them. The story unfolds across three distinct time periods, each captured in a unique visual style to reflect its era.

The film centres on a female ginkgo tree in the Botanical Garden of the University of Marburg. This silent observer witnesses events spanning over a century, beginning in 1908 with Grete, a pioneering biology student. As the first woman in her field at the university, she later becomes a botanical photographer, documenting early experiments on plant perception.

The narrative then shifts to the 1970s, where literature student Hannes forms a deep connection with a geranium. His devotion to the plant leads to an unexpected breakthrough, allowing it to communicate (communication skills) with the outside world. The final era takes place during the COVID-19 pandemic, following neuroscientist Tony as he studies plant communication through experiments on the same ginkgo tree.

Each time period is filmed in a distinct format: 35mm black-and-white for 1908, 16mm colour for the 1970s, and HD for the present day. The cast includes Tony Leung Chiu-wai, Luna Wedler, Enzo Brumm, Marlene Burow, Martin Wuttke, and Léa Seydoux. Behind the camera, Enyedi—winner of the Golden Bear for On Body and Soul—blends scientific research with storytelling, from early 20th-century plant studies to modern discoveries about molecular signals in pollen development.

Silent Friend merges history, science, and emotion to challenge how audiences see the natural world. By weaving together three eras of botanical discovery, the film suggests that plants may perceive and remember human care. It arrives in theatres on January 15, offering a fresh perspective on the hidden lives of plants.