The film Rosebush Pruning, directed by Karim Aïnouz, had its world premiere in the competition section of the Berlin Film Festival on February 14, 2026. Starring Callum Turner, Elle Fanning, and a cast including Riley Keough, Jamie Bell, and Pamela Anderson, the dark satire explores a dysfunctional wealthy family in Catalonia, Spain. At the event, Turner addressed James Bond rumors while co-star Tracy Letts discussed themes of wealth disparity and fascism.
Rosebush Pruning, a black comedy written by Efthimis Filippou and inspired by Marco Bellocchio’s 1965 film Fists in the Pocket, follows four adult American siblings living in isolation with their inherited fortune on Spain’s northeastern coast. The family, led by their blind father played by Tracy Letts, grapples with perverse dynamics after the death of their mother, portrayed by Pamela Anderson, who was reportedly torn apart by wolves. Callum Turner stars as Edward, the middle son who narrates via voiceover, including the line, “People are roses, families are rosebushes. Rosebushes need pruning.” His siblings include Jack (Jamie Bell), Anna (Riley Keough), and Robert (Lukas Gage), all entangled in incestuous tensions. The plot escalates when Jack plans to move in with his girlfriend Martha (Elle Fanning), prompting efforts to preserve the family unit and uncovering lies about their mother’s death.
The film, running 95 minutes, was produced by companies including Match Factory and Kavac Film, with cinematography by Hélène Louvart and music by Matthew Herbert. Reviews describe it as a provocative satire blending absurdity, eroticism, and social commentary on wealth and family violence. Director Aïnouz stated in an interview, “Only through absurdity can you perhaps touch certain issues,” emphasizing discussions on incest, sexual abuse, and murder within patriarchal structures.
At the Berlin premiere on Valentine’s Day, Turner arrived with fiancée Dua Lipa, who wore a lace gown while he sported a brown suit. During the press conference, a journalist asked Turner about James Bond rumors. He replied, “It’s very early for that question. I’m not going to comment on it.” Letts joked, “I’m sorry, I’m the next James Bond!” Later, Letts addressed politics, saying, “This disparity of wealth breeds bad behavior and, in fact, creates fascism.” Cast members present included Letts, Anderson, Gage, and Bell, though Keough and Fanning were absent. The film is distributed by Mubi.
