Neon Dreams: Nicolas Winding Refn's 'Her Private Hell' Premieres at Cannes in Collaboration with NEON Rated
Nicolas Winding Refn has partnered with NEON Rated for his return to Cannes, marking a significant collaboration ahead of the indie banner's 10th anniversary. The film, "Her Private Hell," is set to debut at Cannes on May 18 and will premiere in the U.S. on July 24. Refn revealed that the name "Neon" was inspired by his 2016 film "The Neon Demon," which he co-wrote and directed. The hyper-stylized fashion noir film starred Elle Fanning and left a lasting impact on Refn.
After the premiere of "The Neon Demon" at Cannes in 2016, NEON, a production and distribution company founded by Tom Quinn and Tim League, emerged as a mysterious Chinese buyer, acquiring Nacho Vigalondo's "Colossal" at TIFF. Refn praised Tom Quinn for his role in his career, highlighting their collaboration on the Pusher trilogy and "Only God Forgives." When Refn decided to make a new movie, Quinn was the first person he approached, and Quinn readily agreed to be part of the project.
Refn reflected on the support he received from Quinn, comparing it to the early days of his career when he had little experience but was given opportunities to create. The collaboration with Quinn brought him joy and renewed his passion for filmmaking. "Her Private Hell," co-written by Refn and Esti Giordani, follows the story of Elle, a young woman searching for her father in a futuristic city plagued by a deadly mist. She crosses paths with Private K, an American GI on a mission to rescue his daughter from the same hellish environment.
The partnership between Nicolas Winding Refn and NEON for "Her Private Hell" signifies a significant milestone for both parties. The film's debut at Cannes and subsequent U.S. premiere mark a new chapter in their collaboration, showcasing their shared commitment to innovative and compelling storytelling. As they continue to push boundaries and explore new creative horizons, audiences can look forward to more exciting projects from this dynamic duo.