Aïnouz Film Delivers Dark Humor and Provocative Moments

The film Rosebush Pruning, directed by Karim Aïnouz, premiered in competition at the Berlin Film Festival. Co-written with Efthimis Filippou, the film draws inspiration from Marco Bellocchio’s 1965 film Fists in the Pocket.

Synopsis

The film begins on a Spanish beach where Edward, portrayed by Callum Turner, is instructing a recent acquaintance, George, on the intricacies of high fashion. George, a middle-aged visitor from Athens, is quickly sexualized by Edward, setting a tone for the film’s escalating exploration of transgression. The narrative then introduces Edward’s family, relocated to Catalonia six months prior by their mother, who has since died under unusual circumstances – reportedly killed by wolves. The family consists of Edward, his brothers Jack (Jamie Bell) and Robert (Lukas Gage), his sister Anna (Riley Keough), and their blind father (Tracy Letts).

Family Dynamics

The family members are depicted as shallow and obsessed with music and fashion, with a particular fixation on appearances. Their world is disrupted by the arrival of Martha (Elle Fanning), Jack’s new girlfriend, who is considered unfashionable by the family. Anna leads the charge in attempting to separate Jack and Martha, receiving support from her siblings.

Character Performances and Themes

Riley Keough delivers a notable performance as Anna, while the film is characterized by a strong ensemble cast, including Lukas Gage and Pamela Anderson. The narrative explores themes of incest, perversion, and the family’s unusual behaviors, including a fascination with blood and unconventional rituals. Robert’s actions, involving a knife and his thigh, are also depicted. Elle Fanning’s reactions to the unfolding events are a recurring visual element.

Plot and Inspiration

While inspired by Fists in the Pocket, the film largely deviates from a traditional plot structure, focusing instead on Jack’s attempts to escape his family and their eccentricities. Rosebush Pruning is described as a black comedy with a decadent aesthetic, surpassing Aïnouz’s previous film, Motel Destino.

Film Details

Title: Rosebush Pruning
Festival: Berlin (Competition)
Director: Karim Aïnouz
Screenwriters: Karim Aïnouz and Efthimis Filippou, inspired by Marco Bellochio’s 1965 film Fists In The Pocket
Cast: Callum Turner, Riley Keough, Jamie Bell, Lukas Gage, Elena Anaya with Tracy Letts and Elle Fanning and Pamela Anderson
Distributor: Mubi
Running time: 1 hr 35 mins