Fantastic Fest 2025: The Tree of Knowledge World Premiere

Fantastic Fest, held annually in Austin and known as the largest genre film festival in the U.S., is back at the Alamo Drafthouse from September 18–25, 2025. Celebrated for spotlighting fantasy, horror, science fiction, action, and cult films, this year’s lineup promises a hauntingly excellent collection of premieres.

One of the most anticipated titles is Eugène Green’s The Tree of Knowledge, having its World Premiere at this year’s festival. (Emma Griffiths PR, 2025)

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Film Details

The Tree of Knowledge (A árvore do Conhecimento)
Feature Film (Portugal/France)

• World Premiere – 2025
• Runtime: 100 mins
• Language: Portuguese (with English subtitles)
• Genre: Dark Comedy / Fantasy

Directed by: Eugène Green
Producers: Luís Urbano, Sandro Aguilar, Julien Naveau
Starring: Rui Pedro Silva, Ana Moreira, Diogo Dória, João Arrais

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Fantastic Fest Screening

📍 Location: Alamo Drafthouse Lamar
1120 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704

🎬 Next Screening:
Tuesday, Sept 23rd – 6:00 PM @ Theater 8

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Synopsis

In biblical terms, the “Tree of Knowledge” symbolizes free will and the ability to discern right from wrong. For filmmaker Eugène Green, it becomes a metaphor for spiritual awakening and renewal, set against the backdrop of Europe’s booming mass tourism.

The story follows Gaspard (Rui Pedro Silva), a Lisbon teenager who falls into the hands of the Ogre, a man who has struck a pact with the Devil. The Ogre uses Gaspard to lure tourists, transforming them into animals before killing them. Gaspard escapes with a donkey and a dog he has grown attached to, and in an enchanted manor, encounters the spirit of Queen D. Maria I of Portugal. Enraged, the Ogre sets off in pursuit—leading to a fantastical and allegorical journey of survival.

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About the Director: Eugène Green

Born in New York City on June 28, 1947, Eugène Green is a French filmmaker, writer, theater director, and actor.

• Studied literature and art history in Paris
• Founded Le Théâtre de la Sapience in 1977, staging both contemporary poetic and baroque theater
• Directed his first feature, Toutes les Nuits (1999, released 2001), winner of the Louis Delluc Prize for First Film
• Has since directed 10+ feature films and 6 mini-films
• His works have screened at Cannes, Locarno, Berlin, and other international festivals
• In 2019, the Fundação Serralves in Porto hosted the first major exhibition dedicated to his cinema

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✨ With The Tree of Knowledge, Green brings his signature poetic and philosophical style to Fantastic Fest, offering audiences a surreal and allegorical tale that blends dark comedy, folklore, and fantasy.

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