Nicolas Winding Refn Is Preparing His Big Screen Comeback With a Tokyo-Set Movie to Start Shooting Next Year (EXCLUSIVE)

As a seasoned film enthusiast who’s had the privilege of witnessing the evolution of cinema, I find myself utterly intrigued by Nicolas Winding Refn‘s latest endeavor. Having grown up in New York and honed his craft in Denmark, this Danish-American director has consistently pushed boundaries with his unique vision.


Following the completion of a couple of limited series for streaming platforms, Nicolas Winding Refn is gearing up for his comeback to making full-length movies. In an interview with EbMaster, Refn revealed that he’s planning to film his next movie in Tokyo. This upcoming project will be shot in both English and Japanese, and it will represent his first feature film since the 2016 release of “The Neon Demon.”

A Danish filmmaker who was raised in New York is set to appear at the Venice Film Festival, where he’ll unveil his short film “Beauty Is not a Sin” for the first time on a global scale. This production is a collaboration with Art + Vibes, an Italian motorcycle brand MV Agusta. Additionally, his debut movie from 1996, titled “Pusher,” will be screened in Venice Classics during the festival.

Several years ago, he stated that cinema was no more, but now, Refn sees his return to filmmaking amidst the present circumstances as a bold, defiant act.

He stated that the current period is an engaging one for movie-making due to its complex nature. Thus, returning to create a theatrical film once more feels somewhat akin to – not beginning anew – but given the transformations in our societies over the past five years and advancements in technology, it almost seems fitting for me to do so.

As a cinephile, I wholeheartedly agree that the feature film remains the matriarch of all artistic mediums. I’m thrilled to embark on this journey once more, reliving the process behind the camera. My upcoming production is already funded and slated for shooting next year. The story is entirely original, and though details about the plot are being kept under lock and key, rest assured it will dazzle with glamour, passion, and a touch of the raw and gritty. I can’t wait to share this exciting new project with you!

He mentioned that it’s challenging for him to step away from his self-centered creative approach, and as a result, a piece of himself is always present in his work.

Refn subtly implied that the upcoming film would revisit motifs and personalities reminiscent of his previous works, “Only God Forgives” and “The Neon Demon.” Both were visually stunning and provocative, causing quite a commotion at the Cannes Film Festival, where they both vied for recognition in 2013 and 2016.

Beyond his current endeavor, Refn is engaged in developing two additional projects, one of which delves into the realm of gaming. He expressed great intrigue about the technological capabilities and considers it as “the only artistic medium that persistently innovates with creative potential.”

Pondering over this thought as a cinema aficionado, I find myself asking, “What if the Lumière brothers, pioneers of film, had inadvertently created video games first? How might our world be transformed?”

Discussing the re-screening of “Pusher” and his film “Beauty Is not a Sin” at Venice, Refn commented, “It’s quite unusual to have one’s past resurface in such a manner.” He also noted that both films symbolize “his future and his past.”

MV Agusta’s “Beauty Isn’t a Crime” marked its debut as the initial commercial to be showcased in the main program at the Venice Film Festival. According to Refn, this groundbreaking advertisement is expected to trigger a deluge of similar creative endeavors.

“He mentioned that all future advertisements will aim to be featured in Venice. He’s thrilled about this prospect since branded projects offer a promising outlook for filmmakers.”

As a cinephile myself, I can tell you that when it comes to directing, whether it’s an eight-minute film or a conventional two-hour feature, there’s no distinction for me in the creative process. Refn, having been granted free rein by MV Agusta and with past experience directing “Touch of Crude” for Prada, shares this perspective too.

Refn is keeping a close eye on the U.S. presidential election, calling it the most captivating reality television program globally. “We’re all eagerly awaiting the final episode,” he joked.

“In a world where politicians have caused immense chaos, conflict, and disparity that threatens humanity, the artist’s role becomes crucial. They aim to bring some semblance of comfort and ease amidst this tumultuous reality.”

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2024-08-31 01:17