Powerful drama The Tree has a chance to blossom in the US after a newly-signed distribution deal.
The Australian/French co-production, directed by Julie Bertuccelli, produced by West Australian Sue Taylor and starring Charlotte Gainsbourg, has been bought by Zeitgeist Films and will open initially in Los Angles and New York this North American summer.
The film, shot in southeast Queensland, has now sold to more than 30 territories, including across Europe, South America, Asia and the Middle East.
“Charlotte Gainsbourg and Julie Bertuccelli have large and loyal followings in the US and Zeitgeist is the perfect distributor to look after this film,” Taylor said in a statement.
The New York-based film company previously distributed Bertuccelli’s Since Otar Left.
The film, produced by Taylor Media and Les Films Du Poisson on a budget of more than $10 million, follows the lives of mother Dawn (Gainsbourg) and her four children after the unexpected death of husband/father Peter (Aden Young). Simone (newcomer Morgana Davies) is convinced her father speaks to her through the leaves of her favourite tree and he’s come back to protect them.
Locally distributed by Paramount/Transmission, the film has received positive reviews since a standing ovation on closing night at last year’s Cannes Film Festival.
The Tree DVD will be released in Australia on March 3 through Paramount Home Entertainment.