Cinemas to show local movie

A scene from The Tree, which was filmed on location in the Ipswich region.

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A MOVIE filmed near Boonah will showcase the Ipswich region’s spectacular countryside when it is released next month.

The Tree’s makers scoured Australia for the perfect Moreton Bay fig tree, before finally discovering the towering central character at a property near Boonah.

Based on Brisbane author Judy Pascoe’s debut novel, Our Father Who Art in The Tree, the film tells the story of a woman who, after her husband suddenly dies, discovers one of her children talks to her deceased father in the tree at the back of the garden.

Actress Charlotte Gainsbourg (The Science of Sleep and 21 Grams) plays the mother Dawn and seven-year-old Morgana Davies made her acting debut playing the young girl Simone.

The Tree was filmed on location at Boonah, Kalbar, Teviotville (north of Boonah) and Ipswich.

Producer Sue Taylor said the region could expect an international tourist boon following the film’s release.

“This part of Queensland is somewhat off the usual tourist path but The Tree reveals its incredible beauty,” Taylor said.

“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.”

The epic search for the perfect tree took scouts, director Julie Bertuccelli and producers Taylor and Yael Fogiel, on a journey up and down the east coast of Australia for two years.

“We had always envisaged a Moreton Bay fig tree and, as the book was set on the outskirts of Brisbane, that seemed like a good place to start,” Taylor said.

“But there are lots of Moreton Bay fig trees out there.

“Finding the right tree was the most important thing and it was a very substantial challenge.”

The Tree will release nationally, including at Ipswich cinemas, on September 30.