Although he directed the stunning Pusher films, Bronson, and Valhalla Rising, Danish director Nicolas Winding Refn is finally getting his share of spotlight. He received the best director award for his Ryan Gosling-starring Drive (our review here) at Cannes Film Festival yesterday, and now we have more details on his next project. Before he re-teams with his Drive star for the Logan’s Run remake, he will direct the neo-western Only God Forgives.
We reported Kristin Scott-Thomas and Luke Evans will star, but now we have a plot synopsis from the official Danish Film Institute site (via Twitch). They also confirm that Eyes Wide Shut cinematographer Larry Smith (who also worked with Refn on Bronson) will return here. Check out the synopsis below.
Julian is on the run from the British police. He runs a Thai Boxing club in Bangkok which is a front for a drugs smuggling operation. He is well respected within the criminal underworld, but deep in his heart he feels that his life is lacking something. He meets a retired cop, The Angel of Vengeance, and finds out that he has to confront his mother.
He seems to somewhat be returning to his Pusher universe and the fact a character is called The Angel of Vengeance gets me more intrigued. I suspect Evans may be Julian and Scott-Thomas could occupy the mother role. Expect a 2012 release for Only God Forgives, while you can see Drive in theaters this September.
What do you think of the official synopsis? Do you agree Refn is one of the best up-and-coming directors?