Nicolas Winding Refn Returns to Cannes with 'Her Private Hell' After 10-Year Hiatus
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Danish director Nicolas Winding Refn has premiered his first feature film in a decade, 'Her Private Hell', at the Cannes Film Festival. The horror-thriller, which received a seven-minute ovation, marks Refn's return following a near-death experience that reshaped his perspective on his career. The film is set for a U.S. theatrical release on July 24.
Facts First
- Nicolas Winding Refn premiered 'Her Private Hell' at Cannes after a 10-year hiatus from feature filmmaking.
- The film received a seven-minute ovation at its premiere, which was held out of competition.
- Refn revealed he was clinically dead for 25 minutes three years ago, an experience that ended a period of creative exhaustion.
- The horror-thriller stars Sophie Thatcher and Charles Melton in a plot involving a movie star's family drama and a mysterious killer.
- 'Her Private Hell' will open in U.S. theaters on July 24 and is backed by Neon, the distributor behind recent Palme d'Or winners.
What Happened
Nicolas Winding Refn premiered his new film, 'Her Private Hell', at the Cannes Film Festival on Monday night. The screening was followed by a seven-minute ovation. The film is Refn's first feature since 'The Neon Demon' premiered at Cannes a decade ago. At a press conference, Refn stated that he had a near-death experience in a hospital where he was clinically dead for 25 minutes before being revived. He said that prior to this event, he felt he had reached the end of his career.
Why this Matters to You
If you are a fan of Refn's previous work like 'Drive' or 'The Neon Demon', you may soon have a new, visually distinctive film to experience in theaters. The director's return after a long hiatus and a profound personal experience could signal a new, focused chapter in his filmmaking. For moviegoers, this means a major auteur is actively creating again, with 'Her Private Hell' scheduled to open in U.S. theaters on July 24.
What's Next
'Her Private Hell' is scheduled to open in U.S. theaters on July 24. The film's premiere at Cannes, while out of competition, positions it within the festival's influential marketplace and could shape its critical and commercial reception leading up to its summer release.