Damn this was made in 2012? Don’t remember content back then being this well made. Thought it was at least 2016 until you didn’t mention the neon demon. Amazing video!! Love Nwr movies.
Very good Refn bio, especially the way you summarize his earliest films so people will know (including the great hallway shooting short. Refn spent money on realistic squibs and sound effects. About 3 years ago I first saw "Only God Forgives" and "Driver" and thought, this dude is a very different crime screenplay writer/Director. His stuff represents some of the best of independent film making. I'd also read the outrageous plot line (and gruesome conclusion of 'Bleeder') back then, checking out clips of other ones he's made, so I was aware of Refn. This is a comprehensive bio here, and I will be checking out Refn's earlier films.
Thanks! My main sources were DVD commentaries and extras for the 3 Pusher films, the documentaries Gambler and NWR, and the dozens and dozens of interviews, both video and text, that Refn has given over the years. There's quite a few on TH-cam.
Good question. I'd say late night Danish cable reruns? There is a small portion of it from a Danish TV documentary on the making of Pusher, which is what I used. Refn has said that he is embarrassed by the original short and will never release it again.
I guess a lot of artists have to ask themselves -do they want to be liked by everyone and make compromises -or do they want to make original art and express themselves honestly - without worrying too excessively about what others think.
Thanks for comments! I'm currently in the process of professionalizing the show up a bit with a website and all that. And you're right, Bleeder isn't out on R1 yet and probably will never be at this point. The just released trailer for OGF is pretty stunning!
I think you're right. The crazy thing is how Refn sees Fear X as a huge failure. In a recent podcast interview with Vice he struggled to even recall the name of the film.
Okay, I just checked the Pusher 2 commentary. He cites, like you said, Battle of Algiers and French Connection, but also Mean Streets and Bad Lieutenant. I'm going to have to go back in my research to find the reference to the Cassavetes film!
I heard Refn say somewhere that Cassavetes, specifically KOACB, was a source of inspiration. It may have been the Pusher 2 commentary track, and I'm pretty sure he cites Mean Streets there was well, in reference to both Pusher 1 and 2. I could be mistaken, but that's how I remember it.
At 06:10 The Battle of Algiers footage seems to have more and smaller grain both black and white than the original I've seen from the Blu-ray. So I would like to ask if you used a filter or something or where you found the footage.
I'm currently starting work on Terrance Malick, though I might change. David Lynch, Charlie Kaufman, John Woo and Jackie Chan are all at the top of the list as well.
Certainly a worthwhile exposition and analysis, but.... The women in Bleeder are not developed because they are supporting characters. No use blaming it on Mr Refn's youth and inexperience, and no use demanding that just because there's a woman in a film, she has to be developed as a character. A supporting character is a supporting character regardless of sex. Also, his 'fanatical devotion to the vision he and Selby Jr. had' means, in fact that Fear X is what I think is his best film by far. And Harry does not go looking for the 'secret' behind his wife's murder, he goes looking for the reason for her murder. That's a crucial difference between Fear X and the usual revenge movie. He's not looking for revenge, repeats that he's not a murderer, but a griefstruck husband who wants to understand. His question is always, 'Why?' The absence of any clear dénouement is also original, because we as viewers know only little more than Harry does, and are therefore only a little less puzzled than Harry is. Your concluding words about Fear X are most apt.
I recently re-watched Bleeder for the first time since doing this video almost 9 years ago, and my feelings about it are mostly the same. I see your point about the difference between main characters and minor ones, however, Bleeder introduces each of the characters to us (with a song that describes them) from the omniscient perspective, implying that the film's focus, unlike the rigid 3rd person perspective of Pusher, could shift to any one of them at any time if Refn had the interest to do so. Yet, aside from a couple scenes, the female characters in Bleeder are locked firmly in orbit around the male ones. Keep in mind though, this is a mild criticism of a film I like a lot. In Drive, I think Refn did it better. Drive and Bleeder have a lot in common, especially the relationship between Driver and Irene, which Refn has said (check out the interview called "Bleeders") is a newer version of the relationship between Lenny and Lea. For me, there is a subtle but clear improvement in the way Refn depicts Irene as opposed to Lea, especially obvious when she breaks from his orbit and runs from him, asserting her autonomy. This can be attributed to how Refn has matured in the time since he made Bleeder, which he made when he was still in his twenties before being in a long term relationship and having his daughters. I love all of Refn's films, so finding even one aspect I thought could be better stands out to me and I thought it was worth mentioning. It has nothing to do with political correctness, but instead could have added another layer of complexity to the cast of characters in this already morally complex drama. The only thing I would add to my original review of Bleeder would be to mention how Leo's traumatic experience witnessing violence in a nightclub at the beginning of the picture frames his decent into anger and violence himself. Oh, and the "fanatical devotion" bit regarding Fear X is a compliment to Refn and the film! Films without it are usually boring. Anyway, I appreciate the thoughtful comments and feedback, and am glad you found the videos worthwhile.
@@bigdracula Fine, although I still think your analysis, admirable as it appears, is wanting a work that exists to be a different work than it is. A bit like saying 'Moby Dick' was better than Laurens Van Der Post's 'The Hunter and the Whale', because in the latter novel, the whale was only a peripheral character whereas in Moby Dick he was central (an example off the top of my head). Or 'Cabaret' was lacking because the peripheral homosexual relationship between the Michael York character and the German aristocrat was not developed, merely mention. Always demanding that all the boxes be ticked makes for poor and unfocused work. Have recently indulged in superior films by French Jean-Paul Melville, because they are mentioned by both Refn and Tarantino. They are simply superior and make most modern crime movies and such look amateurish in comparison. Makes one realise how much fluff is included in modern films. For the sex scenes, one sees the protagonists meet, and then afterwards, and what more is necessary? When people are shot, usually one doesn't see the person hit, or if one does, it's without the blood and gore and details, and one realises those things are in fact superfluous. Would appreciate an analysis from you, and I studied not film but literature. Difficult to say which I think is the best by Jean Paul Melville, but 'Army of Shadows' is definitely in the front row.
Hi. I've just watched this two cool parter. Good on ya, mate. If I have one piece of criticism it's the fact that it's made anonymously! With something like this it's always good to know the author. I live in Denmark and have met NWR (who was companied by his friend Peter Peter) a couple of times in a video store in Cph almost 10 yrs ago. I published a fanzine at the time that he bought from me. As far as I know Bleeder isn't on reg. 1 dvd which is a pity. I can't wait to see OGF.
nice job man, great editing and narration, I haven't seen his complete filmography but this review of his career makes me want to see all the ones I've missed. Could you tell me what is the band/artist that covers Pere Ubu's Final Solution and if this is used in any of Winding Refn's films? Thanks!
Hi! I wrote here yesterday but my commenary disappeared! Do you know where I can find Pusher, the short film? I work for a Short Film Festival in Nice. Thank you for your help! Solenne
how can I watch the TV movie NWR (2012), there's no youtube link for it, only torrent I can find is dubbed over in Russian, and even if I wanted to buy it you can't HELP PLEASE
Yeah man, that one's going to be tough to see. It never got US distribution to my knowledge. I had the incredibly lucky chance to see the full English version free on TH-cam before the distribution deal was signed. It was only up for a several days if I remember right. Sorry man!
Don't know the name or even if it was part of the sountrack for Pusher or an original piece used for the film. It is the song that plays in the club at the end of the film and is also played on the DVD menu of the disk I have.
It sounds so good... i tried to shazam like 10 times. It reminds me of Refn's soundtracks. would you please share what settings you had for the sound on ableton..?
I am danish. And the guy has always seemed like a spoiled pain in the ass... but man he can make movies. He was among those who made it possible to take dansih movies serious again with "Pusher"
totally agree with you their respective style greatly differ...........though It would be dope to have a 2 part kind of project from them (like what Tarantino and Rodriguez did with Grindhouse)
Damn this was made in 2012? Don’t remember content back then being this well made. Thought it was at least 2016 until you didn’t mention the neon demon.
Amazing video!! Love Nwr movies.
I appreciate the kind words. Thank you!
@@bigdracula Part 3 confirmed?
Damn man! This is very dope. Thanks for taking the time to share this!
I have been enjoying Refn's work since I saw Pusher in the late 90's, this is one of the best insights into his work I've seen. Good upload.
These analyses were an enormous help in understanding Refn's evolution and stylistic/thematic progression, thanks so much. Now off for part 2...
Very good Refn bio, especially the way you summarize his earliest films so people will know (including the great hallway shooting short. Refn spent money on realistic squibs and sound effects.
About 3 years ago I first saw "Only God Forgives" and "Driver" and thought, this dude is a very different crime screenplay writer/Director. His stuff represents some of the best of independent film making.
I'd also read the outrageous plot line (and gruesome conclusion of 'Bleeder') back then, checking out clips of other ones he's made, so I was aware of Refn.
This is a comprehensive bio here, and I will be checking out Refn's earlier films.
man your description for Pusher 2, a documentary styled Godfather centered around Friedo is perfect
Amazing Analysis! I look forward to everything you do in the future!
Thanks! My main sources were DVD commentaries and extras for the 3 Pusher films, the documentaries Gambler and NWR, and the dozens and dozens of interviews, both video and text, that Refn has given over the years. There's quite a few on TH-cam.
Good question. I'd say late night Danish cable reruns? There is a small portion of it from a Danish TV documentary on the making of Pusher, which is what I used. Refn has said that he is embarrassed by the original short and will never release it again.
I guess a lot of artists have to ask themselves -do they want to be liked by everyone and make compromises -or do they want to make original art and express themselves honestly - without worrying too excessively about what others think.
you deserve a shit ton more subscribers. Not 1.31k.
I love the Pusher trilogy. Thanks for making this! Very well done!
Thanks for comments! I'm currently in the process of professionalizing the show up a bit with a website and all that. And you're right, Bleeder isn't out on R1 yet and probably will never be at this point. The just released trailer for OGF is pretty stunning!
Whether he likes to believe it or not, but Nicholas Winding Refn.is following in the footsteps of Nicholas Ray with amped up violence.
Thanks! The behind the scenes clips are part of a Danish TV piece on Pusher that was and extra included on a DVD copy of the film.
I'm very grateful for this, THANK YOU FOR SHARING ! NWR is one hella character.... FASCINATING, really ! J'ADORE !
I think you're right. The crazy thing is how Refn sees Fear X as a huge failure. In a recent podcast interview with Vice he struggled to even recall the name of the film.
Great job! Wonderfully insightful. Bravo!
In my opinion Reservoir Dogs will always be the most incredible debut film for a director, or a writer for that matter
amazing work!!looking forward to part 2.
question: would you be willing to do a similar one about Thomas Vinterberg??
why dont u upload any more videos? I love your videos, very high quality. wish to see more!
Really great series. Well structured, relevant and interesting information.
Okay, I just checked the Pusher 2 commentary. He cites, like you said, Battle of Algiers and French Connection, but also Mean Streets and Bad Lieutenant. I'm going to have to go back in my research to find the reference to the Cassavetes film!
I daresay that Fear X is Refn's underlooked masterpiece.
Glad you liked it!
I heard Refn say somewhere that Cassavetes, specifically KOACB, was a source of inspiration. It may have been the Pusher 2 commentary track, and I'm pretty sure he cites Mean Streets there was well, in reference to both Pusher 1 and 2. I could be mistaken, but that's how I remember it.
How did you find the footage of his first short film??
At 06:10 The Battle of Algiers footage seems to have more and smaller grain both black and white than the original I've seen from the Blu-ray. So I would like to ask if you used a filter or something or where you found the footage.
Where did you get the behind the scenen footage for Pusher 1 ?
I'm currently starting work on Terrance Malick, though I might change. David Lynch, Charlie Kaufman, John Woo and Jackie Chan are all at the top of the list as well.
Gambler is a bonus feature in Magnolia's Pusher Trilogy box set.
heh the gun effects in his short movie are pretty damn well made
I wish I knew! I've only seen this small snippet from the Pusher 1 DVD extras. I think Refn doesn't want it out for general consumption.
Certainly a worthwhile exposition and analysis, but.... The women in Bleeder are not developed because they are supporting characters. No use blaming it on Mr Refn's youth and inexperience, and no use demanding that just because there's a woman in a film, she has to be developed as a character. A supporting character is a supporting character regardless of sex. Also, his 'fanatical devotion to the vision he and Selby Jr. had' means, in fact that Fear X is what I think is his best film by far. And Harry does not go looking for the 'secret' behind his wife's murder, he goes looking for the reason for her murder. That's a crucial difference between Fear X and the usual revenge movie. He's not looking for revenge, repeats that he's not a murderer, but a griefstruck husband who wants to understand. His question is always, 'Why?' The absence of any clear dénouement is also original, because we as viewers know only little more than Harry does, and are therefore only a little less puzzled than Harry is. Your concluding words about Fear X are most apt.
I recently re-watched Bleeder for the first time since doing this video almost 9 years ago, and my feelings about it are mostly the same.
I see your point about the difference between main characters and minor ones, however, Bleeder introduces each of the characters to us (with a song that describes them) from the omniscient perspective, implying that the film's focus, unlike the rigid 3rd person perspective of Pusher, could shift to any one of them at any time if Refn had the interest to do so. Yet, aside from a couple scenes, the female characters in Bleeder are locked firmly in orbit around the male ones. Keep in mind though, this is a mild criticism of a film I like a lot.
In Drive, I think Refn did it better. Drive and Bleeder have a lot in common, especially the relationship between Driver and Irene, which Refn has said (check out the interview called "Bleeders") is a newer version of the relationship between Lenny and Lea. For me, there is a subtle but clear improvement in the way Refn depicts Irene as opposed to Lea, especially obvious when she breaks from his orbit and runs from him, asserting her autonomy. This can be attributed to how Refn has matured in the time since he made Bleeder, which he made when he was still in his twenties before being in a long term relationship and having his daughters. I love all of Refn's films, so finding even one aspect I thought could be better stands out to me and I thought it was worth mentioning.
It has nothing to do with political correctness, but instead could have added another layer of complexity to the cast of characters in this already morally complex drama. The only thing I would add to my original review of Bleeder would be to mention how Leo's traumatic experience witnessing violence in a nightclub at the beginning of the picture frames his decent into anger and violence himself.
Oh, and the "fanatical devotion" bit regarding Fear X is a compliment to Refn and the film! Films without it are usually boring.
Anyway, I appreciate the thoughtful comments and feedback, and am glad you found the videos worthwhile.
@@bigdracula Fine, although I still think your analysis, admirable as it appears, is wanting a work that exists to be a different work than it is. A bit like saying 'Moby Dick' was better than Laurens Van Der Post's 'The Hunter and the Whale', because in the latter novel, the whale was only a peripheral character whereas in Moby Dick he was central (an example off the top of my head). Or 'Cabaret' was lacking because the peripheral homosexual relationship between the Michael York character and the German aristocrat was not developed, merely mention. Always demanding that all the boxes be ticked makes for poor and unfocused work.
Have recently indulged in superior films by French Jean-Paul Melville, because they are mentioned by both Refn and Tarantino. They are simply superior and make most modern crime movies and such look amateurish in comparison. Makes one realise how much fluff is included in modern films. For the sex scenes, one sees the protagonists meet, and then afterwards, and what more is necessary? When people are shot, usually one doesn't see the person hit, or if one does, it's without the blood and gore and details, and one realises those things are in fact superfluous. Would appreciate an analysis from you, and I studied not film but literature. Difficult to say which I think is the best by Jean Paul Melville, but 'Army of Shadows' is definitely in the front row.
Actually no, the only bit of it I've seen of it is in the video. It was part of a Danish TV documentary on Pusher.
Excellent video man, very enlightening.
I didn't use any filters. What you are noticing is probably just compression artifacts.
True words. Hey man are you planning on doing other directors, if yes who's next?? thanks
3:28 This short was what I was expecting Pusher to be 😂 the actual film is lot more realistic and dramatic.
Thank you for this! I Needed
It's included in the region 1 Pusher trilogy DVD box set from Magnolia.
Big fan. Gotta make more of these!
Great documentary. Subscribed.
Hi. I've just watched this two cool parter. Good on ya, mate. If I have one piece of criticism it's the fact that it's made anonymously! With something like this it's always good to know the author. I live in Denmark and have met NWR (who was companied by his friend Peter Peter) a couple of times in a video store in Cph almost 10 yrs ago. I published a fanzine at the time that he bought from me. As far as I know Bleeder isn't on reg. 1 dvd which is a pity. I can't wait to see OGF.
nice job man, great editing and narration, I haven't seen his complete filmography but this review of his career makes me want to see all the ones I've missed. Could you tell me what is the band/artist that covers Pere Ubu's Final Solution and if this is used in any of Winding Refn's films? Thanks!
Where did you get the original Pusher short film?
Really well-made documentary. Where'd you get all the behind the scenes clip from Pusher?
Hi!
I wrote here yesterday but my commenary disappeared!
Do you know where I can find Pusher, the short film?
I work for a Short Film Festival in Nice.
Thank you for your help!
Solenne
Were did you find the "Gambler"? I've been looking for it.
Good catch! I'll emend this as best I can.
thanks for uploading, you should do a tarantino biography!
Try 'torrenthound' or 'kiwitorrent'. I know it's illegal to download films, but have a look there. Or maybe contact the director himself. Good luck.
Where can you find the whole Pusher short film?
Man, this is awesome, but you know where i can find the full Gambler documentary subtitled? Thank you very much!
how can I watch the TV movie NWR (2012), there's no youtube link for it, only torrent I can find is dubbed over in Russian, and even if I wanted to buy it you can't HELP PLEASE
Yeah man, that one's going to be tough to see. It never got US distribution to my knowledge. I had the incredibly lucky chance to see the full English version free on TH-cam before the distribution deal was signed. It was only up for a several days if I remember right. Sorry man!
Anyone know where i can buy Bleeder on DVD here in the US????? I can only find it on region 2 (UK) and i want to watch it SO bad!!
thanks!!
nice I'd like to see Terrence, and Lynch is great as well
Is this the NWR DVD?
Do you know where I can find his Pusher short film online? Thank you.
Can someone please tell me what that song is at 3:24? It plays for a while.
Pusher theme
Gambler is an awsome documentary for everyone who loves cinema.
Does anyone know the song on 07:05?
Don't know the name or even if it was part of the sountrack for Pusher or an original piece used for the film. It is the song that plays in the club at the end of the film and is also played on the DVD menu of the disk I have.
I love Refn but this thumbnail is hilarious! A turtleneck! Seriously?
So rarely do we see a movie about someone who fails at everything all the time.
What is the song you used for the opening title ? The one with heavy synth. Please!!!!!
The title music? It's something I made with Abelton, I just held some keys down. There's no more to it beyond what you hear.
It sounds so good... i tried to shazam like 10 times. It reminds me of Refn's soundtracks. would you please share what settings you had for the sound on ableton..?
@@room6345 I'm pretty sure it's an Omnisphere preset. Omnisphere has great sounding pads.
I am danish. And the guy has always seemed like a spoiled pain in the ass... but man he can make movies. He was among those who made it possible to take dansih movies serious again with "Pusher"
Ridley Scott was another European director who was inspired by Texas Chainsaw... weird how the best minds think alike.
Im interested, tell me what happened
man this is awesome thanks
*Where can i find the Pusher short film?*
You cant. He says he's never releasing it because he's embarrased by it. The clips in this are from another documentary.
Good stuff. But it's Nicolas not Nicholas.
What the song at 08:40 ?
It's a song from Bleeder and I'm not sure the name or band. I'd have to break the film out, look at the credits and guess the name.
Id love to see Nicolas Winding Refn and Quentin Tarrantino work together on a film
totally agree with you their respective style greatly differ...........though It would be dope to have a 2 part kind of project from them (like what Tarantino and Rodriguez did with Grindhouse)
"exasturbate" LOL!
Thanks!
BTW great work!
im guessing some times he come of as full of him self . to me it seems both directors just have a snarkey sence of humor
Why not? :)
Haha, I think that's a pretty fair assessment.
bigdracula, thanks. Very interesting.
Nicolas**
he is also colour-blind
He's such a plump little rich kid.
Hmm. Hard to explain. Think of Lars Von Trier, just better dressed and better looking.
how does he act like a spoiled pain in the ass if you don't mind me asking
My mane is Mario. You can follow me on Twitter @bigdracula
#500 like yaaas! :)
why dont u upload any more videos? I love your videos, very high quality. wish to see more!
Glad you liked it!
Thanks!