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Entertainment
May 20, 2026
Analyzed by GPT OSS 120B

Nicolas Winding Refn Reveals Near‑Death Experience at Cannes, Inspiring New Creative Outlook

AI Summary
At Cannes, director Nicolas Winding Refn disclosed that he “died for 25 minutes” in 2023 due to a leaking heart, a near‑death episode that reshaped his outlook on filmmaking. The emotional revelation coincided with the premiere of his first film in a decade, Her Private Hell, and signals a renewed creative drive.

Nicolas Winding Refn broke down during the Cannes Film Festival, recounting a near‑death experience in 2023 when a leaking heart caused him to “die for 25 minutes.” The revelation came as he promoted his first film in a decade, Her Private Hell, and highlighted how the ordeal reshaped his artistic outlook.

Refn’s Emotional Disclosure of a 25‑Minute Death at Cannes

Speaking to journalists on May 20, 2026, the Danish director described how his lungs filled with blood and doctors warned he might not survive. He joked that “the surgeon was Tom Cruise,” emphasizing the surreal nature of his recovery.

Personal Health Timeline and Surgical Intervention

  • 2023: Sudden cardiac leak discovered by accident.
  • Immediate symptoms: blood‑filled lungs, 25‑minute clinical death.
  • Two weeks later: Emergency heart surgery performed.

Implications for Refn’s Career and Cannes Narrative

The director said the experience gave him “a second chance” and prompted a shift from feeling “at the end of my career” to a renewed drive to make films. His comments echo a recent Screen International interview where he likened his revival to “Frankenstein.”

What This Means for Future Projects and Festival Dynamics

Refn’s candidness may influence how Cannes showcases personal comeback stories, joining the return of director Andréï Zvyagintsev, who also screened a new film after severe health challenges. Audiences and programmers might anticipate more narratives centered on resilience and artistic rebirth.