Born in an industry family, Charlotte Gainsbourg’s father is the French pop music icon Serge Gainsbourg. She has inherited the performer’s gene and has been actively taking part in both film and music projects. Winning Best Actress at the Cannes Film Festival last year, Gainsbourg’s subtle allure captures those in search of modern elegance and sex appeal. Her latest part in ‘The Tree’ is a mother of four living in the Australian countryside with husband Peter.

The tree situated in the center of thier garden symbolises their loving relationship. Peter suffers from a heart attack and crashes into the tree in a fatal accident, leaving Dawn and the children. The eight-year-old daughter believes Peter’s soul still lives on the tree, and imagines his voice through the sound of the leaves. The tree eventually grew to a hazardous size and had to be cut down, just when Dawn is starting a new relationship. The characters find themselves caught in a crossroad not knowing how to put their next step forward. The film was chosen as the finale film of 2010 Cannes Film Festival. Its director Julie Bertucelli learned under Krzysztof Kieślowski as her mentor, and worked as assistant director in ‘Three Colours Trilogy’. The pairing of Bertucelli and Gainsbourg is certain a reason to go to the cinema.

Text: Vincent Lau | Translation: dilettante
Update: 27 Jan 2010

Director: Julie Bertucelli
Cast: Charlotte Gainsbourg, Marton Csokas
Release Date: 10 February 2011

THE TREE
thetreefilm.com