The O'Neills lived happily in their house in the Australian countryside. That was until one day fate struck blindly, taking the life of Peter, the father, leaving his grief-stricken wife Dawn alone with their four children. Among them, eight-year-old Simone denies this reality. She is persuaded that her father still lives in the giant fig tree growing near their house and speaks to her through its leaves. But the tree becomes more and more invasive and threatens the house. It must be felled. Of course, Simone won't allow it.
Direction
Julie Bertuccelli lets silence do the screaming.
Cinematography
That fig tree is basically its own character—gnarled, gorgeous, oppressive.
Acting
Charlotte Gainsbourg's exhaustion is so real it hurts to watch.
Director
Julie Bertuccelli
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The fig tree is real and located in Boonah, Queensland. They built the house around it specifically for filming.
Based on Judy Pascoe's novel 'Our Father Who Art in the Tree'—the title change tells you everything about Hollywood's allergy to specificity. Charlotte Gainsbourg filmed this right after her own father's death, which explains why her grief looks so devastatingly authentic.
AU
US
