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silent friend was produced as a German-French-Hungarian co-production with the support of the Hungarian National Film Institute.
This sensitive, philosophical film, which won six awards at last year’s Venice Film Festival, tells three stories about the encounter between humans and plants.
The latest work from the Golden Bear-winning and Oscar-nominated filmmaker. About body and soul The setting is a botanical garden in Marburg, Germany.
Speaking ahead of a press conference in Budapest, director Ildiko Eniedia said: “The greatest joy was that I was able to talk in this film about a lot of things that have fascinated me for a really long time, since I was a teenager, and that have only penetrated into my films in a very indirect way until now.The central theme of this film now is essentially nature, communication and human connections.”
Tony Leung Chiu-wai, best known for his work with Wong Kar-wai, plays the character Tony, but said he did little preparation for the role.
“I received a lot of material from Ildiko, like books on neuroscience and plants. I asked her what she needed to prepare and she said, ‘Nothing, just to be there.’ So I said, okay, let’s think about it on set,'” said the Hong Kong actor.
At the heart of the film is a venerable old tree transplanted from far away that has continued to watch over the flora, fauna, and human life around it for almost two centuries.
A Silent Friend won Best Cinematography at the 61st Chicago International Film Festival and was also highly praised in Lisbon (LEFFEST) and Valladolid, Spain.