As Fox Searchlight picked up Terrence Malick‘s The Tree of Life for a vague 2011 release, we have been waiting to hear any sort of theatrical opening news. Cédric Succivalli, who is very well-informed as In Contention points out, has tweeted a European release:
The Tree of Life (sigh!) : EuropaCorp has “confirmed” a French release on February, 23rd, 2011. Meaning Berlinale > Cannes. Or nothing…
This would mean a premiere either at the Berlin Film Festival, which begins Feb. 10th or the Sundance Film Festival which starts Jan. 20th. The Thin Red Line and The New World previously showed in some capacity at the former, so I would consider it more likely to bow there.
As for a US release, I would have guessed Searchlight holding this back until next Oscar season but with this earlier Euro date, we will have to wait and see.
When do you think Tree of Life will debut?