Ildiko Enyedi's ‘Silent Friend,' Laszlo Nemes' ‘Orphan' Lead Hungarian Projects at Cannes Film Market

Yahoo

13-05-2025

Ildikó Enyedi, Hungarian director of Oscar-nominated 'On Body and Soul' and 2020 Cannes contender 'The Story of My Wife,' brings 'Silent Friend' to the Cannes Film Market.
The film stars Luna Wedler, Enzo Brumm and Tony Leung Chiu-wai, marking his first role in a European film.
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'This cult actor, [cast] in the role of a neuroscientist, is the human protagonist of the film. His extremely powerful presence holds together the dramatic arc of the film. The work with him was a unique, uplifting experience for Ildikó and the whole team,' producer Monika Mecs says.
Currently in post-production, this Pandora Film, Galatée Films and Inforg-M&M Film production – made in co-production with ZDF/Arte, Arte France Cinéma and Rediance – is sold by Films Boutique.
Set in the botanical garden of a medieval university town in Germany, 'Silent Friend' is centered around a majestic tree observing humans. Through different eras – 1908, 1972 and 2020 – the film tells three 'human' stories shaped and transformed by the plants surrounding them.
'Each film by Ildikó is a very different endeavor and this one's exploring the relationship between humans and the 'more-than human' world, focusing on plants. It will be unique in its storytelling and the way it was shot,' assures Mecs.
'It doesn't try to answer what it's like to be a tree. Instead, it shows humans' touchingly awkward attempts at getting a glimpse into how different beings perceive the world.'
'Orphan' by László Nemes, known for Oscar-winning 'Son of Saul,' will also be presented. According to Jan Naszewski, CEO at New Europe Film Sales – handling sales with Charades – it has already been sold to more than 15 countries.
In the period drama, a young Jewish boy is raised by his mother with idealized tales of his deceased father. His world turns upside down when a brutish man appears, claiming to be his true dad.
Pioneer Productions, Good Chaos, Mid March Media and AR Content produce.
'It's another accomplished film by Nemes, executed with his usual precision and attention to detail. The movie transports us into Budapest in the 50s to tell a very personal and yet universal story of a boy longing for his father and growing up in an encroaching regime,' says Naszewski.
Other notable projects heading to France include 'Operation Kabul' directed by Zsombor Dyga. Produced by Tamás Lajos for Szupermodern filmstúdió, it sees a special unit of the Hungarian Defense Forces racing against time to evacuate their fellow citizens from Afghanistan. Lieutenant Bálint, trying to free his past love, embarks on a desperate nighttime mission.
Romantic musical 'How Could I Live Without You' by Dénes Orosz will provide an antidote to the nerve-wrecking plot, offering some feel-good romance set in the early '90s. Its protagonist, Lili, discovers old letters in her parents' apartment – letters her mother never intended to show her. Attila Kirády produces.
Another adventure will come courtesy of animated 'The Quest,' set to premiere at Annecy, where a young prince embarks on a magical journey to find happiness, encountering fairies, witches and mischievous devils in a fairy-tale world where love and courage are put to the ultimate test.
'This project – conceived as a dream in the 1970s and finally realized in 2025 – is both extraordinary and deeply challenging. It serves as a true time capsule, bridging decades of artistic vision and technological evolution. For both creators and audiences, it offers a rare and meaningful experience: a journey through time, memory, and imagination,' notes producer Réka Temple of Cinemon Entertainment.
While it's 'difficult' to create animation in Europe, 'thanks to co-productions, and national and regional films funds, it's still a wonderful journey,' she says.
Directed by Csaba Máli and Zsolt Pálfi, the story 'breathes life into timeless folk motifs,' capturing the spirit of the 18th-century writer Mihály Vörösmarty's classic tale and honoring the original character designs of the late animator Attila Dargay.
'It offers a nostalgic experience for adults while delighting children with its humor, drama and magical world. It's a celebration of Hungarian storytelling and animation at its finest.'
'Animation travels exceptionally well, especially when it comes to folktales. These stories have been passed down through generations, retold across different times and circumstances. They carry universal themes that continue to resonate with audiences worldwide and animation gives them a fresh, emotionally rich medium to live on in.'
Two upcoming projects will take a look at maternity, starting with 'Mambo Maternica,' previously known as 'The Origin of the World.'
In Bobála Nagy's debut feature, somewhere in Europe, three Hungarian women are having a difficult day. While navigating life-changing decisions beyond the social norm, they are confronted with the issues of late motherhood. Ultimately, they all find their path to personal independence.
Petra Iványi of Lupa Pictures – producing alongside Margarita Amineva-Jester of German company Voices Films – sees it as an 'undeniably international film.'
'Not only because it unfolds across three European cities – Berlin, Paris and Budapest – but also because it tackles the universal dilemmas of motherhood. It's a film about women, from women, but not only for women.'
Such dilemmas, and more, will also be tackled by debuting Bernadette Mayer in 'Mommy Blue' where a mother's facing the loss of her sight due to diabetes. Her son is caught between embracing his own adulthood and caring for her.
'The narrative follows the emotional journeys of these two characters, exploring themes of tenderness, love, caregiving, and responsibility. I firmly believe that these subjects are deeply relatable to audiences everywhere,' says producer Genovéva Petrovits (Kino Alfa).
'At one point, Bernadette Mayer and co-writer Zoltán Nagy decided to revise the original version of the script and age the male character. Mayer was determined to work with Benett Villmányi. He brings a unique attitude, charm and energy to the character. She wanted to create a film in which life triumphs over loss.'
Despite recent controversies connected to its right-wing government, including amendment to the constitution forbidding holding or attending events violating Hungary's 'child protection' legislation – leading to de facto ban on LGBTQ+ public events – or Trump's shocking plan to implement tariffs on films produced outside of the U.S., foreign productions continue to benefit from tax incentives.
That includes such new titles as Russell Crowe starrer 'Billion Dollar Spy,' 'Alpha Gang' with Cate Blanchett or series 'Ponies' with Emilia Clarke, and 'The White Lotus' actor Haley Lu Richardson, which will see them navigate the CIA spy world of 1970s Russia. Ruben Östlund's 'The Entertainment System Is Down' shoots in Hungary, as well as 'Dune 3: Messiah,' following into the sandy footsteps of its two previous parts that also shot there.
'Wicker' with Olivia Colman and Dev Patel, John Cena-led 'Matchbox' or shows like 'NCIS: Tony & Ziva,' 'A Tale of Two Cities,' heist series '12 12 12' featuring Jamie Dornan and the second season of 'The Day of the Jackal' round up the ever-expanding list.
'Hungarian soundstages are currently operating at full capacity with both international and domestic productions. The formulation and implementation of potential U.S. protective tariffs that could impact the Hungarian film industry is expected to be a lengthy process,' says Csaba Káel, Government Commissioner for the Development of the Hungarian Motion Picture Industry.
'In the meantime, we continue to engage in discussions with international partners across multiple continents to explore further opportunities for cooperation and co-productions that would benefit stakeholders in the Hungarian film sector.'
As for local filmmakers, they continue to look at the world around them, trying to get inspired.
'It might sound pathetic, but in this tense, chaotic world, which is more and more confrontational, I would like to see or make films that give attention to the values which draw us together. Just like 'Silent Friend,'' says Mecs.
Petrovits adds: 'To me, great stories are authentic personal reflections of the world we live in. What I hope for, in the near future of Hungarian cinema, is a proper balance between art and industry.'
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