The Berlin Film Festival hosted the world premiere of “Rosebush Pruning,” a biting satire directed by Karim Aïnouz, which drew significant attention from attendees and media alike. Pop superstar Dua Lipa made a surprise appearance at the event, accompanying her fiancé, Callum Turner, who stars in the film. The couple celebrated Valentine’s Day on the red carpet, where Lipa, adorned in a romantic see-through lace gown, and Turner, sporting a chic brown suit, exuded affection with smiles, laughs, and cheek-kisses before Lipa gracefully stepped aside, allowing Turner to take the spotlight for his film.

“Rosebush Pruning” is a highly anticipated project from Aïnouz, known for his work on “Motel Destino.” The film features an ensemble cast including Turner, Riley Keough, Jamie Bell, Elle Fanning, Lukas Gage, Tracy Letts, and Pamela Anderson. Most of the cast members, with the exception of Keough and Fanning, were present at both the premiere and the subsequent press conference.

The film’s synopsis details a dark and complex narrative: it follows four American siblings who, isolated and awash in their inherited fortune, ignore their blind father’s demands. They seek love and validation through each other and their designer clothes. The plot thickens when Jack, the eldest brother and the family’s anchor, announces his intention to move in with his girlfriend Martha. This decision severs blood ties and compels Ed to investigate the true circumstances surrounding their mother’s death, leading to the unraveling of generational lies and the disintegration of the family’s structure.

During the press conference, Callum Turner was immediately confronted with rumors linking him to the role of the next James Bond. With a slight smirk, the 35-year-old British actor responded, “It’s very early for that question. I’m not going to comment on it.” His co-star, Tracy Letts, humorously deflected the pressure by interjecting, “I’m sorry, I’m the next James Bond!” to much laughter, to which a relieved Turner replied, “Tracy, I thought you weren’t going to say anything.” The Bond speculation continued when director Karim Aïnouz was asked about his vision for a 007 film, prompting Letts to again quip that Aïnouz was directing “my James Bond.” Lukas Gage also weighed in on the rumors, stating, “Look at him – he’s 6’5”. Sign him up.”

“Rosebush Pruning” stands out in Karim Aïnouz’s filmography, following his historical drama “Firebrand” and hyper-carnal thriller “Motel Destino.” This new film is described as an absurdist family saga rife with outsize gestures and out-of-bounds desires. Written by Efthimis Filippou, a frequent collaborator of Yorgos Lanthimos, the script is loosely inspired by Marco Bellocchio’s 1965 film “Fists in the Pocket.” Aïnouz aims to spark dialogue through the film’s dark themes, which include incest, sexual abuse, and murder. He emphasized that “only through absurdity can you perhaps touch certain issues,” highlighting the importance of discussing and understanding that significant violence often originates within the family, perpetuated by naturalized patriarchy and a cycle of violence.

The film’s artistic execution is notable for its vibrant and visually striking aesthetic. Director of Photography Hélène Louvart saturates each frame with