At the heart of an old German university grows a majestic ginkgo tree, its lifespan measured in centuries. As the years pass, the distinguished plant bears witness to the private lives of those who seek shade under its boundless branches. In 2020, a visiting neuroscientist conducts a series of experiments into the possibilities of botanical consciousness. In 1972, a young student is profoundly changed by studying the behavior of a simple geranium. And in 1908, the university’s first female student’s photographic inquiries reveal sacred patterns of the universe hidden within the humblest of plants. Three lonely souls, three outsiders. Over time, each is transformed by the quiet, enduring, and mysterious power of nature.

For in-depth thoughts on Silent Friend, please see my review from its original theatrical release here.

For additional thoughts on Silent Friend, please see my colleague Roberto Ortiz’s review from its original theatrical release here.

Video Quality

Silent Friend makes its Blu-Ray debut with a top-notch 1080p video presentation in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio that captures the lush cinematography with the utmost care. The varied color palette saturates the screen with the bold, beautiful hues found in the collegiate scenery throughout the decades. The black-and-white portion of the movie holds up favorably with an impeccable handling of the contrast. The flesh tones are natural with lovely detail present in close-ups. The image is free of any digital anomalies, such as compression artifacts. The varied production design and shots of nature provide inviting textural details. The presentation captures a welcome amount of depth in each space that we explore. Black levels avoid nearly all instances of banding as they maintain their depth. This Blu-Ray is a valiant effort from the folks at 1-2 Special.

Audio Quality

1-2 Special gives this Blu-Ray a DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio track that impeccably renders all of the nuanced sounds of the mix. Environmental sounds flow gently through the surround speakers to make the key environment feel appropriately alive. When the characters are moving throughout the space, an assortment of distinct ambient details fleshes out the setting. Dialogue comes through clearly without being overshadowed by any competing elements. The film has a gentle energy that allows for some nice texture to creep into the proceedings. The music is favorably balanced while maintaining the proper fidelity. The track earns top marks in bringing this material to your home. Optional English subtitles are provided.

Special Features

Understanding Through Stories- Interview with Director Ildikó Enyedi: A 24-minute interview with director Ildikó Enyediin which she discusses her inspiration for this story, her background in filmmaking, the development of the script, capturing the sensory experience of the story on film, and more.
EPK Interview with Director Ildikó Enyedi: A ten-minute interviw with the filmmaker in which she discusses her idea to make a film about plants, her interest in communication as a concept, the film’s title, and more.
Screening at the Ginkgo Tree: A two-minute piece that shows the idea to screen the film at the site where the gingko tree resides.

Original Trailer (1:59)

Booklet: A multi-page booklet is provided featuring an essay by film critic Brandon Streussnig that examines the film from multiple angles.

Final Thoughts

Silent Friend is an extremely thoughtful and ambitious narrative that eschews easy sentimentality in favor of something more meditative and cerebral. All the pieces are here for greatness, yet it comes up just short by playing things a little too emotionally cool and not completely earning its massive runtime. Nevertheless, Ildikó Enyedi continues to earn our admiration for the way she approaches humanity and connection in ways that are not easily quantifiable. It is a work that lingers with you and makes you extra mindful that, even when no one else is in sight, life is all around you. 1-2 Special has released a Blu-Ray featuring a sterling A/V presentation and a wonderful assortment of supplements. Recommended

Silent Friend is currently available to purchase on Standard Edition Blu-Ray or with a Limited Edition Slipcover exclusively through Vinegar Syndrome.

Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.

Disclaimer: 1-2 Special and OCN Distribution have supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.