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The Tree opens in France

Press release from Pop Culture

Morgana Davies, the 8-year-old star of the new Australian/French film THE TREE, who wowed audiences at this year’s Cannes Film Festival with her extraordinary performance, is set to become a film star in France when the film opens this week in more than 230 cinemas across the country.

Sydney-sider, Morgana co-stars in the film with French icon and superstar, Charlotte Gainsbourg.

“This is a huge release for an independent Australian film in France, one of the largest ever,” said producer Sue Taylor, prominent Perth-based filmmaker.

THE TREE was selected as Closing Night Film at the 2010 Cannes International Film Festival and received a rapturous standing ovation.

“Morgana was on the red carpet, in her sneakers, with two of the other young children from the film, Queensland’s Zoe Boe and Gabriel Gotting from Sydney…and Charlotte Gainsbourg. The press went mad for all the Aussie kids and clamoured to photograph and interview Morgana. She even did a full international press conference and live TV interviews,” Taylor said.

“It’s obviously been an incredible experience for Morgana, but she’s taken it in her stride, even when hearing herself dubbed into French for the film’s release there.”

Morgana is featured in this month’s Italian Vogue, in a photograph taken on the Cannes Red Carpet.

THE TREE was filmed on location in Boonah, Kalbar, Teviotville and Ipswich in South East Queensland. Sue Taylor says the region can expect an international tourist boon. “This part of Queensland is somewhat off the usual tourist path but The Tree reveals its incredible beauty. The production was based in Boonah for three months, including both the Australian crew and our French crew and cast and their families. We were all warmly welcomed to the area and I know international tourists will also appreciate the warmth and hospitality of the locals,” Taylor said.

THE TREE will be released nationally in Australia on September 30

Distributed by Transmissions Films & Paramount Pictures

The official website for The Tree launches tomorrow (Tuesday August 10): www.thetreefilm.com