Born 1970, Denmark. Director. Lived in New York between the age of 8 and 17. Studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Art.
At age 24, Refn wrote and directed his feature film debut "Pusher" (1996), winning him instant critical acclaim. "Bleeder" (1999) premiered at the Venice Film Festival and won the FIPRESCI Award at Sarajevo in 2000. John Turturro starred in "Fear X" (2003), Refn's English-language, Canadian-Danish co-production, selected for Sundance. In just one year, Refn wrote, directed, and produced the two follow-ups to his now cult-classic "Pusher": "With Blood on My Hands - Pusher II" (2004), and "I Am the Angel of Death - Pusher III« (2005).
"Bronson" (2009), described by critics as a modern-day "Clockwork Orange", was a British production. His Viking epic "Valhalla Rising" (2010) premiered in Toronto and Venice and was highly commended by British and French critics for it mesmerising imagery and original take on the genre. Refn's Hollywood production "Drive" (2011) with Ryan Gosling and Carey Mulligan won the award for best director in Cannes. His Danish-produced "Only God Forgives", selected for Cannes Competition in 2013, also features Gosling. “The Neon Demon,” a horror film set in Los Angeles’ modeling world, was also selected for the Cannes Competition, in 2016.
| Title | Year | Function | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Neon Demon | 2016 | Direction, Screenplay | DK/Feature |
| My Life Directed by Nicolas Winding Refn | 2014 | Appearance | DK/Documentary |
| Only God Forgives | 2013 | Direction, Screenplay | DK/Feature |
| Jodorowsky's Dune | 2013 | Appearance | Documentary |
| Pusher | 2012 | Dutch Bob, Executive producer | Feature |
| Svartur á leik | 2012 | Executive producer | Feature |
| Drive | 2011 | Direction | Feature |
| Bronson | 2009 | Direction, Script | Feature |
| Valhalla Rising | 2009 | Direction, Script | DK/Feature |
| Happy go lucky | 2006 | Jang | DK/Documentary |
| Pusher III - Angel death | 2005 | Direction, Script | DK/Feature |
| Kinamand | 2005 | Lægen | DK/Feature |
| Pusher II | 2004 | Direction, Script | DK/Feature |
| Fear X | 2003 | Direction, Script | DK/Feature |
| The Chosen 7 | 2001 | Creative producer, Director: concept | TV series |
| Bleeder | 1999 | Direction, Script | DK/Feature |
| Pusher | 1996 | Direction, Script | DK/Feature |
