Nicolas Winding Refn, the man behind DRIVE and ONLY GOD FORGIVES stopped by the Criterion Collection office and DVD closet. Shop Nicolas's Closet Picks! www.criterion....
Summary (just in case): Ivan's Childhood (1962) Quadrophenia (1979) Bigger Than Life (1956) Something Wild (1986) Insignificance (1985) Repo Man (1984) Things to Come (1936) On the Waterfront (1954)
I often see this guy walking around with a baby carriage in the neighbourhood I live in, it's pretty funny actually. I don't even think he's that pretentious, he's just an odd guy.
I just saw him again today. He was walking down the street alone, wearing huge sunglasses (the weather was dark and cloudy) while carrying a giant loaf of bread in his arms, holding it like a baby.
People tend to misunderstand Refn. They think he is an asshole, but he is just an odd guy. Very original in every aspect. Aside from film making, he doesn't know what to do with himself 😅 I absolutely adore his work. A truly unique style, which you can always recognise when you experience it 🙏
@Richard Perlos hahahaha ok. Not even a fan ok CK but its some cocky shit to say, and he sounds like a pretentious ass. Nice try being just as edgy as refn
I don't understand why people are constantly talking shit about Refn. Everywhere where I go, from this video to interviews and movie trailers, everywhere, all I read is "He's such a douchebag", "He is overrated", "Is he suppose to be an art movie director?", bla bla bla. Just leave the guy alone, get a life. If you're just giving your opinion, alright, but if you're sistematically going on to different videos about Refn and thrashing him, like some individuals have been doing, please, go spend your time watching a movie or something.
Refn for me is in the top 10 directors working today. He shouldn't ever be allowed near the script writing process. He cannot write good material. But he can direct like it's nobody's business. He knows exactly what a particular script needs and that makes him a major talent!
Well, that's your opinion! In my opinion, i think that Refn is a brilliant writer. His recent movie The Neon Demon was fantastic! And the Pusher trilogy is outstanding as well, and not to mention his second film Bleeder, one of my personal favourites. How many of his films have you seen?
Drive was, I think, horribly written. I don't think he should take the blame for that, and I like his films in general, but for me thats the difference between a good film maker and a brilliant film maker. Hence why I think some consider him overrated. Incidentally I also think good isn't the enemy of great.
People get mad at movies they don't understand or is too subversive for them and then say it is style over substance or misinterpret the film into something politically ugly(example: he is a misogynist). He also (much like) Lars Von Trier likes to give cryptic and controversial statements on the meaning of his work (example: him saying he makes fetish films). They both choose the "let's fuck with the critics even more" option. Todd Solondz has made a career out of that since Happiness. It's that age old tradition of not wanting to be understood by people you don't feel deserve to understand you.
Saying it's a binary choice: people either like your art or don't understand it, would be contemptable if it weren't so ridiculous. And what of those who find the content neither controversial nor subversive? Might they not sneer at you, as you do at others? Again it isn't a choice between this and Michael Bay.
Everyone is slamming him, he's not pretentious, he's just super chill. His movies really are insane, Drive is probably one of the best films ever made.
High, I'm 80 minus 50. Stop being ageist. NWR is one of the most pretentious dipshits ever to pick up a viewfinder. Sunglasses indoors is only the tip of the iceberg.
A great film. For me it is Tarkovsky's best. Incredibly well shot, lightening is superb, that scene remembering his mother like a kaleidoscope is some of the most beautifully filmed moments in film and that tragic ending - so emotionally engaging and so real.
Maybe he meant that he should come back and make good movies instead? Considering Cox hasn't made anything worthwhile since Highway Patrolman (El Patrullero).
Same, I'm a working writer in Hollywood and one of my nightmares is to "make it big", get put in this Criterion closet and only pick really basic films, embarrassing myself.... haha.
@@Ivanevich83 I would pick five films at random to look smart and they'd all be scatological, controversial films about dead children. Or name drop Kubrik like it's going to impress anyone.
these films are part of the criterion collection. you aren't gonna see shrek 2 in a pick. this isn't whats in my bag? you should know about some of them if you really like film and if not its a chance to learn about some without having to sift through all the stuff that wouldn't interest you personally or a chance to engage with something that wouldn't normally interest you.
Tarkovsky needs to be on blu-ray. Don't know why Criterion, BFI, Eureka etc don't have it as their ultimate priority. All Kurosawa too, obviously. Herzog and Wenders too. Repo Man I own (MoC release) but still haven't watched it - Alex Cox is a crazy guy though. I just ordered the Network release of Things To Come so looking forward to that one. I quite enjoyed Only God Forgives - I was high at the time and there are images that haven't unstuck in my mind yet. I think that's a good thing.
I mean this in a good way. I've dreamed they would make a criterion closet video with Refn. I also would like to see what Harmony Korine would pick out.
@@markbrenzel9419 1. Ottoman Empire was not a communist country. 2. He named names so that he could save his own behind and keep making movies in the US. Those are facts.
IDK only 3 pieces in Cinema have truly affected me so far: Mandy (Cosmatos), Too Old to Die Young (Refn), and Hereditary (Aster). The audio-visual stimulation, art style, pacing, and range of emotions from those select three are raw and visceral imprints of creativity that I don't see rivalved elsewhere.
You just named three of my favorite works! Too Old to Die Young is my favorite from Refn. It's funny both that and Hereditary have very simalar group therapy scenes. Mandy kicks ass. I'd recommend checking out the films recommended in this video, as there are themes in those films that you can tell inspired Refn. Gaspar Noe's stuff is all about extreme emotion and raw creativity, I love Irreversible especially.
Very small and inconsequential detail: Tarkovsky's Stalker that he mentions first off actually has a different title in Danish: 'Vandringsmanden' (which translates better as 'The Wanderer' or something along those lines.) The word 'stalker' itself is used in the Danish language, but since it is a very obvious English borrowing, no one actually pronounces it any differently.
Funny cause my first language is spanish and I pronounce "Stalker" the way he said Danish people do lol, I don't know if in russian, it's pronounced like that
Summary (just in case):
Ivan's Childhood (1962)
Quadrophenia (1979)
Bigger Than Life (1956)
Something Wild (1986)
Insignificance (1985)
Repo Man (1984)
Things to Come (1936)
On the Waterfront (1954)
Forgot stalker
@@josephmayfield945 he just mentioned Stalker. At the time of this video Stalker wasn't released on Criterion.
The Great Dictator
I often see this guy walking around with a baby carriage in the neighbourhood I live in, it's pretty funny actually. I don't even think he's that pretentious, he's just an odd guy.
I just saw him again today. He was walking down the street alone, wearing huge sunglasses (the weather was dark and cloudy) while carrying a giant loaf of bread in his arms, holding it like a baby.
Baba Booey lol thats awesome.
I've seen this before. What an odd fellow.
this is the funniest thing I've read in a very long time.
Keep us updated.
Preparing for his 21 minutes of free time.
Best comment ever lol😂.
I was waiting for this comment
not a lot of people get it ... hah ? but we do ...
Heartman liked this
Heartman gave you 20 likes
People tend to misunderstand Refn. They think he is an asshole, but he is just an odd guy. Very original in every aspect. Aside from film making, he doesn't know what to do with himself 😅
I absolutely adore his work. A truly unique style, which you can always recognise when you experience it 🙏
Excentric is the word you search for.
Michael Holmgaard Valhalla Rising is such an interesting film. Love that shit
@@Tuxedosnake00 eccentric
See his interview with Friedken. Dude says Drive 2 was better than Citizen Kane.
@Richard Perlos hahahaha ok. Not even a fan ok CK but its some cocky shit to say, and he sounds like a pretentious ass. Nice try being just as edgy as refn
It's amazing how many times Repo Man has been picked out during these things
And Salo.
And The Magician.
The other ones I see getting picked all the time are Crumb and Seconds
Also All That Jazz.
Well, it IS the greatest movie ever made so that makes sense.
I don't understand why people are constantly talking shit about Refn. Everywhere where I go, from this video to interviews and movie trailers, everywhere, all I read is "He's such a douchebag", "He is overrated", "Is he suppose to be an art movie director?", bla bla bla.
Just leave the guy alone, get a life. If you're just giving your opinion, alright, but if you're sistematically going on to different videos about Refn and thrashing him, like some individuals have been doing, please, go spend your time watching a movie or something.
Refn for me is in the top 10 directors working today. He shouldn't ever be allowed near the script writing process. He cannot write good material. But he can direct like it's nobody's business. He knows exactly what a particular script needs and that makes him a major talent!
Well, that's your opinion! In my opinion, i think that Refn is a brilliant writer. His recent movie The Neon Demon was fantastic! And the Pusher trilogy is outstanding as well, and not to mention his second film Bleeder, one of my personal favourites. How many of his films have you seen?
Drive was, I think, horribly written. I don't think he should take the blame for that, and I like his films in general, but for me thats the difference between a good film maker and a brilliant film maker.
Hence why I think some consider him overrated.
Incidentally I also think good isn't the enemy of great.
People get mad at movies they don't understand or is too subversive for them and then say it is style over substance or misinterpret the film into something politically ugly(example: he is a misogynist). He also (much like) Lars Von Trier likes to give cryptic and controversial statements on the meaning of his work (example: him saying he makes fetish films). They both choose the "let's fuck with the critics even more" option. Todd Solondz has made a career out of that since Happiness. It's that age old tradition of not wanting to be understood by people you don't feel deserve to understand you.
Saying it's a binary choice: people either like your art or don't understand it, would be contemptable if it weren't so ridiculous.
And what of those who find the content neither controversial nor subversive? Might they not sneer at you, as you do at others?
Again it isn't a choice between this and Michael Bay.
0:34 “Rock n Roll”. I love people who still use that as a term.
Haha it’s literally rock n roll tho
You guys should have tommy Wiseou in
I'd pay to see that
Yaah Rebel Without a Caahs is veahry good.
Patiently waiting for a Criterion edition of The Room
Terrible idea
@@macmann1956 seems you’re the only one who thinks so. You seem fun at parties
This man created Pusher 1, 2 and 3. My favourite criminal film trilogy.
I agree.
My favourite trilogy full stop! Really inspirational for me too
Just out of curiosity, have you seen the Infernal Affairs trilogy? If so, what did you think?
Bronson is an absolute masterpiece. I really hope that Criterion adds it eventually.
Still one of the most underrated directors ever
+criterioncollection - you know it'd be cool if you guys put the selected films in the description or something
Can't you just watch the video?
@@over8124 sometimes people mumble the title/director which isnt always clearly displayed on the case. It's not a hard request.
They have started doing it now
Nick What kind words about THINGS TO COME... and also Repo Man! Thank you so much. Though I'm not sure the studios share your sentiments...
I love Valhalla Rising, very underrated film
me too, Refn's a genius
Such a great film! I Love Mads in it...
Gotta love how he picked out both Repo Man & On the Waterfront, Refn is quite an intriguing director with style in both violence & atmosphere on film.
Everyone is slamming him, he's not pretentious, he's just super chill. His movies really are insane, Drive is probably one of the best films ever made.
Ever seen Driver???
Nah bro, PUSHER TRILOGY
some of the hate comments below are beyond cringeworthy. What are you 80 years old complaining about him wearing sunglasses inside.
High, I'm 80 minus 50. Stop being ageist. NWR is one of the most pretentious dipshits ever to pick up a viewfinder. Sunglasses indoors is only the tip of the iceberg.
He's colorblind. So let him wear sunglasses.
Its because he comes off as a complete douchebag
Only God Forgives is a masterpiece. Deserves to be in the collection
William Friedkin enters the chat.
Repo Man easily the best Criterion artwork.
He had dinner with everybody!
Do we believe it?
@@mattclayer6541 I had egg and chips with Robert de Niro on Tuesday
i interviewed him several days ago. i love him!
I love this man so much
My favorite director , such a cool dude
Good to see some people pick Repo man. What an amazing movie it is. Timeless classic.
I agree Alex Cox needs to make more films, Repo Man rocked.
He made repo chick, I think it’s probably a good idea to leave the film industries
@@naaji5606 Or... one guy's entire artistic value shouldn't be based on just one thing they did, eh?
@@Luka1180 repo chick was a abomination
It would be fantastic to see the Pusher Trilogy get the Criterion treatment.
Someday Drive will be there
No surprise that Refn picked up Ivan's Childhood first. Tarkovsky was brilliant.
A great film. For me it is Tarkovsky's best. Incredibly well shot, lightening is superb, that scene remembering his mother like a kaleidoscope is some of the most beautifully filmed moments in film and that tragic ending - so emotionally engaging and so real.
*Twenty Minutes of Love*
A 1914 silent comedy short.
It is widely recognized as the star's directoral debute.
Drive Criterion coming soon?!
Matt Albino One Day
@@nomad639 :(
Drive or neon demon.
@@nomad639 I liked it. 'Only god forgives' isn't bad either. Different strokes for different folks I guess.
@@nomad639 You can argue that it's not good, but it most certainly isn't forgettable.
Finally, Repo Man. Bless you, Refn.
❤️ that movie.. it’s so awesome 😎
"Alex Cox, come back, we all miss you, please make more movies..." He's made a movie every few years since 1980.
Maybe he meant that he should come back and make good movies instead? Considering Cox hasn't made anything worthwhile since Highway Patrolman (El Patrullero).
@@Largentina. But why is that? So odd.
@@Luka1180 Maybe because he's not actually a good filmmaker and he just got lucky a couple times. I'm not 100% sure though.
Am i the only one who dont know 90% of the films talked about in here ? I feel like I don´t know shit about films when i watch these videos haha.
I'm like shit I need to go back and watch more films
Same, I'm a working writer in Hollywood and one of my nightmares is to "make it big", get put in this Criterion closet and only pick really basic films, embarrassing myself.... haha.
@@Ivanevich83 I would pick five films at random to look smart and they'd all be scatological, controversial films about dead children. Or name drop Kubrik like it's going to impress anyone.
@@JudgeHoldem Trust me man, name-dropping Kubrick won't get you anywhere
these films are part of the criterion collection. you aren't gonna see shrek 2 in a pick. this isn't whats in my bag? you should know about some of them if you really like film and if not its a chance to learn about some without having to sift through all the stuff that wouldn't interest you personally or a chance to engage with something that wouldn't normally interest you.
Tarkovsky needs to be on blu-ray. Don't know why Criterion, BFI, Eureka etc don't have it as their ultimate priority. All Kurosawa too, obviously. Herzog and Wenders too.
Repo Man I own (MoC release) but still haven't watched it - Alex Cox is a crazy guy though. I just ordered the Network release of Things To Come so looking forward to that one. I quite enjoyed Only God Forgives - I was high at the time and there are images that haven't unstuck in my mind yet. I think that's a good thing.
Tell me you're not a time traveler without actually telling me you're not a time traveler.
I love it how he so calmly swears so much!!
Besides Takashi Miike, my favorite director.
"Alex Cox... please come back..." He obviously either hasn't seen or (like me) has chosen to completely disregard the existence of "Repo Chick".
I had no idea that Repo Chick existed! Did a google and it looks like an experiment that failed completely. What a shame :(
@Palindromeda 33 It's kinda like American Psycho 2. But worse
damn, i wasn't expecting to agree with so many of his choices. quadrophenia and repo man are really up there for me
´´do it your way´´ that has a meaning for me now and I guess it will be changing throughout the years, thanks for the advice Nicolas (;
get the entire "pusher" trilogy on criterion. i also love "stalker", tarkovsky at his best.
I love Refn. He is so outgoing and charming, and extremely humble/honest.
Drive was awesome!!!!!! The story about how Ryan and him met and how it shaped the movie is incredible!!
Mediocre......at best.
I would love to sit down, have a beer, and geek out over movies with Refn.
I knew it!! Just saw Valhalla Rising! I saw so much Tarkovsky in each frame😍
I Love This guy, NWR thx for "Pusher" Trilogy "Drive" "Too Old to Die Young" very stylish stuff Greetings from PL
His advice at the end is gold.
Looks and sounds EXACTLY the same as when we were in elementary school, 1981-1983! Peace.
He's the best director of all times
Get that Pusher trilogy on bluray, right now Criterion! And I will love you forever.
I can't explain it but he looks a frat boy trying to appear as a sophisticate here.
0:15 . Just to clarify. Stalker is not called "Stålker" in Danish. The Danish title is Vandringsmanden (Translates to Wanderer).
I mean this in a good way. I've dreamed they would make a criterion closet video with Refn. I also would like to see what Harmony Korine would pick out.
I wonder what Kubrick would have picked out.
This man directed drive! Master mind
Interesting and quirky picks. Did anyone understand the Tarkovsky title? I appreciate his honesty about stealing.
smotnick Ivan's Childhood
Everyone steal to everyone dude.
Those kind of things are not stricts
Ivan's childhood
Stalker
Quadrophenia
Bigger than life
Something Wild
The Great Dictator
Insignificance
Repo man
things to come
on the waterfront
I asked the question we all wanted to ask Kazan: "How does it feel to be a rat?"
Kazan escaped from a Communist country. When he saw younger people in America promoting communism, he said "If only they knew how terrible it was."
@@markbrenzel9419 1. Ottoman Empire was not a communist country. 2. He named names so that he could save his own behind and keep making movies in the US. Those are facts.
@@markbrenzel9419 you're a moron
Nicolas my fav director
Repo man - such a great movie
Skooter623 truly.. it’s freakin awesome 😎
Please put Drive in the collection. That would be so cool.
surprised to see how many ppl think hes a jerk. hes def not, hes just a weird ass dude lmao
IDK only 3 pieces in Cinema have truly affected me so far: Mandy (Cosmatos), Too Old to Die Young (Refn), and Hereditary (Aster).
The audio-visual stimulation, art style, pacing, and range of emotions from those select three are raw and visceral imprints of creativity that I don't see rivalved elsewhere.
Watch more older films!
You just named three of my favorite works! Too Old to Die Young is my favorite from Refn. It's funny both that and Hereditary have very simalar group therapy scenes. Mandy kicks ass. I'd recommend checking out the films recommended in this video, as there are themes in those films that you can tell inspired Refn. Gaspar Noe's stuff is all about extreme emotion and raw creativity, I love Irreversible especially.
@@jjjovinson4355 is it weird to be scared to watch older films
Too Old to Die Young might be my favorite show ever.
@@z1205I don’t know where to see it
"We... All... Miss... You." Walter Jr., is that you?!
now that would be amazing! I hope Criterion and Harmony team up soon! I'd love to have Gummo on blu ray.
I'm surprised the guy didn't take Hara-Kiri. He has admitted that he is embarrassed for never having seen that film.
I felt so inspired by this
Nice choice on Things to come. I liked it.
Heartman needs to choose his picks in less than 21 minutes.
Very small and inconsequential detail: Tarkovsky's Stalker that he mentions first off actually has a different title in Danish: 'Vandringsmanden' (which translates better as 'The Wanderer' or something along those lines.) The word 'stalker' itself is used in the Danish language, but since it is a very obvious English borrowing, no one actually pronounces it any differently.
Funny cause my first language is spanish and I pronounce "Stalker" the way he said Danish people do lol, I don't know if in russian, it's pronounced like that
I love watching nicholas his constructive criticism
Listen to this man, Mr. Cox.
Pls come back
Excellent marketing for Criterion... !!! Please list film choices below for each celebrity clip...
Props to Refn for the Quadrophenia recommendation.
He had dinner with Elia Kazan? So fortunate.
He looks like a character sliced out of La Dolce Vita.
"I'm actually gunna have lunch with Nick Roeg in London in a couple weeks..."
"Do it your way."
On the Waterfront... the most mainstream pick he'd ever make.
What’s your point? It’s an incredible film
("...it's been seven years", LOL) But I believe I meant how Nicola's every other pick will be _less_ mainstream than On the Waterfront.
"Drive" and the "Pusher" trilogy for Criterion!!!!!! NOW!!!
Johnny Knoxville should've play Refn in a biography
Vincent gallo should be in one of these
I truly believe Bronson deserves to be on the Criterion Collection, more than Drive or OGF.
I want Drive and Only God Forgives on Criterion.
It must be pretty bright in that room... lol
hes color blind
This. Explains. Everything.
snowsandrivers blackfyrestorm so he wears special corrective sunglasses
Love him.
he's a filmmaker.
I'm not sure if I actually like Andrei Tarkovsky's films or if I just identify very much with the way that he made time stand still.
Refn and I seem to have very similar taste. Repo Man = 10/10.
Cocaine is a hell of a drug.
Quadraphenia :D
Heartman collection
That would be awesome!!! Like a Scorsese and De Niro!
The struggle you gone through time makes you filmmaker’s
ive written to you many times Criterion to release Stalker...now if theres ever a reason to do so its because he mentions it as well.
My body may be present but my soul is on the beach. I'm already dead.
i'm sorry but can someone just list all the movies he's picking?
Ivan's Childhood
Quadrophenia
Bigger than Life
Something Wild
Insignificance
Repo Man
Things To Come
On The Waterfront
The only guy I can think of who can pull off the shades 'in the closet' is Wong Kar Wai.
What was the second movie called that he picked up?
Quadrophenia
0:38
There's Revanche on the left shelf...that movie is too good
Coolness. “…it is a bizarre industry” or realm