Karim Aánouz’s next feature film, “Rosebushpruning,” will be produced by Rai Cinema, The Match Factory, Mubi, and The Apartment in Fremantle.
The film, which was directed by Aïnouz, stars Elle Fanning (“Teen Spirit,” “The Great”), Josh O’Connor (“Challengers,” “God’s Own Country”), and Kristen Stewart (“Love Lies Bleeding,” “Spencer”). Aïnouz is directing from a screenplay that is an adaptation of Marco Bellocchio’s first feature film, Fists in the Pocket, written by Efthimis Filippou (Kinds of Kindness, Dogtooth, The Lobster).
“Rosebushpruning” is being produced by Viola Fügen and Michael Weber for The Match Factory, who are also in charge of the movie’s international distribution. The producing team, which includes Simone Gattoni, has also secured the adaptation rights from Kavac Film. Executive producer Annamaria Morelli is co-producing with The Apartment, a Fremantle Company. In the UK, Rachel Dargavel is co-producing with Crybaby Films. In collaboration with Fremantle, Mubi is financing the film alongside Metafilms, Anna Films, and Catherine Boily and Mitch Oliver. The German Federal Film Board, Medienboard, Film und Medienstiftung NRW, and others provided funding for the movie.
“We are thrilled to be a part of this significant movie alongside amazing partners like The Match Factory, MUBI, Kavac, and Rai Cinema,” The Apartment’s CEO, Annamaria Morelli, stated. “We have great admiration for Karim Aïnouz’s films and are thrilled about how he and Efthymis Filippou reinterpreted Bellocchio’s masterpiece, reimagined with an incredibly audacious and unique vision.”
“Marco Bellocchio’s amazing debut, ‘Fists in the Pocket,’ was released over 50 years ago and had a huge impact on Italian cinema and storytelling at the time,” Aïnouz stated in response to “Rosebushpruning.” I’m thrilled to be working with Efthimis Filippou to reimagine this classic piece as a modern tale about the rise of the conventional patriarchal family. I believe it will be both poignant and thought-provoking. Working with such a vibrant group of performers who I have long admired to present this explosive adaptation to audiences today is a dream come true.
Later this year, the movie’s production will get underway.
Lark Management, CAA, and Andre des Rochers represent Aïnouz.
