Baltic Cinema: The Tree of Knowledge (A Árvore do Conhecimento)

Eugene Green’s latest film brings together an evil ogre, a teenager, a long-dead Portuguese queen, and a very patient donkey and golden retriever to assemble a fierce but frequently hilarious fairytale indictment of neoliberal capitalism.

Gaspard, a teenager from the suburbs of Lisbon, falls into the hands of the Ogre, a man who has made a pact with the devil. The ogre uses the boy to attract tourists, whom he transforms into animals and then kills. Gaspard escapes with a donkey and a dog that he has grown fond of, and in an enchanted manor, he meets the spirit of Queen Dona Maria I. Meanwhile, the enraged Ogre sets off in pursuit…

Shot in his deadpan, flat style that borrows from both Brecht and Bresson but is somehow all his own, Eugène Green, notable for drawing inspiration from Baroque theatre and for his idiosyncratic sense of humour, returns to Portugal for the third time to direct this playful and urgent fairy tale.

‘A film of great beauty and profound soul, and another essential chapter in one of contemporary cinema’s most spiritual and singular oeuvres.’ — International Cinephile Society

Doors open 18:30; Film starts 18:45. Baltic Kitchen is open until 18:30 for drinks, which you are welcome to take up to the cinema.

Please note we cannot offer refunds on this event.

Baltic Cinema is a new year-round cinema programme at Baltic, lighting up our Level 1 Cinema with the best new and archive films. Bringing otherwise rarely-screened work to the North East, Baltic Cinema also expands our exhibitions, offering a chance to explore further some of the themes they raise.

Baltic Cinema has five strands:

Currents presents new work from across the world

Sources expands on our exhibitions

Selected shows films selected by our artists and partners

Quayside Kino is a monthly screening for families and children

News From Home offers films on and from the North East, for the people who live here

All regular screenings take place in our Level 1 Cinema. In addition, you can catch free drop-in films in Front Room every week. See full programme of screenings here.

Baltic Cinema is supported by Film Hub North with National Lottery funding on behalf of the BFI Film Audience Network.

We want our events to be inclusive and accessible. If you have any accessibility requests or questions, please email bXlleHBlcmllbmNlIHwgYmFsdGljbWlsbCAhIGNvbQ==. Ahead of your visit, you can find out about Baltic's facilities and accessibility here.

Also check out other Entertainment events in Gateshead, Arts events in Gateshead, Exhibitions in Gateshead.