High with People You Enjoy: An Exclusive Interview with Nicolas Winding Refn and Charles Melton on Her Private Struggles

      Robert Kojder converses with Nicolas Winding Refn, director of Her Private Hell, and actor Charles Melton…

      Renowned for his neon-infused, dreamlike films that often balance slow-burning drama with sudden violence, filmmaker Nicolas Winding Refn (who is color blind) has had an impressive career, including the Pusher trilogy, before breaking into the mainstream and significantly elevating Ryan Gosling’s career with the exceptional crime thriller Drive. Since then, he has continued to challenge himself and redefine his unique, stylish approach, sometimes collaborating again with Ryan Gosling, and at other times venturing in new directions, such as with the surreal fashion horror drama The Neon Demon.

      This creative journey took a turn when he lost his inspiration for filmmaking and shifted to television (which, as I've gathered, is more accessible than some of his films and aligns more closely with Drive), but he found renewed energy after experiencing heart failure that left him dead for about twenty minutes before returning to life. Not only did he start working with video game director Hideo Kojima on Death Stranding (contributing his likeness to an unconventional character whose heart fails every fifteen minutes, using a device on a timer to be revived—typical for the bizarre nature of Kojima's work),

      more significantly, this scare reignited his passion for filmmaking, leading to Her Private Hell. This film ranges from a campy psychosexual family drama to a serial-killer narrative and a revenge story, featuring a soldier navigating the depths of a futuristic city, perhaps doomed in his quest to find his missing daughter. The character Private K, played by Charles Melton, fits into what could be viewed as the Ryan Gosling role, presenting an intimidating, brooding presence while taking on henchmen for reasons I'm still not entirely clear about.

      One thing is clear: Charles Melton, with minimal dialogue, captivates in his role and brightens the screen whenever present. As a fan of his performance in films (though I haven't seen him in Riverdale), from his notable role in Todd Haynes' oddly tragic, campy, and compelling May December to his portrayal of a soldier in Warfare directed by Ray Mendoza and Alex Garland, his rise to fame has been thrilling to witness.

      Charles Melton stands out as the most engaging aspect of this otherwise inconsistent film, which I still recommend checking out; you might discover yourself aligning with Nicolas Winding Refn’s often esoteric yet intriguing vision. Even when I found myself less engaged with Her Private Hell, it remained compelling, with several moments that are deserving of respect. This is a common thread in all of his works; there’s something that pulls you in, even when it doesn’t always function as planned.

      I was also pleased to have the chance to speak with Nicolas Winding Refn and Charles Melton together. We discussed the filmmaker’s process for engaging actors with his vision and his return to filmmaking after his heart failure. It became evident that Charles and Nicolas make a fantastic team, as the former already possessed the motivation to convincingly portray Private K. He approaches every role with seriousness, understanding each one as a piece of a larger puzzle. Naturally, I couldn't miss the opportunity to ask Nicolas about collaborating with Hideo Kojima, two creative spirits in their own unique realm crafting unmistakably personal art. Enjoy the interview below:

      Nice to meet you both.

      Nicolas Winding Refn and Charles Melton: Nice to meet you.

      Before we begin, Nicolas, I must express my gratitude that you’re still here after your heart failure.

      NWR: Thank you very much.

      In light of that, could you explain how that experience shaped this specific story?

      NWR: I don't know if it directly inspired this situation, but it instilled in me the importance of time. When creating art, you have to truly love what you're doing because it consumes a lot of your energy and time. Additionally, the relationship you have with the audience should justify their investment of time. As a creator, what you can offer is an experience that transcends notions of good or bad, fostering a three-dimensional interaction that evokes feelings. If you can make them feel something, whether it’s love or hate, then you've made an impact, embedding yourself in their subconscious. This connection travels with them for life.

      Charles, your character emerges from uncertainty as he searches for his missing daughter. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I assume you don’t actually have a daughter in real life. Where do you draw your motivation to convincingly embody that drive?

      CM: Interestingly, I do have a daughter.

      Wow, congratulations!

      CM: Thank you! When we began filming, observing the fatherly nature of Nic with his daughters, I realized he embodies the creative father figure I aspire to be. I remember a moment on set, surrounded by the captivating lights of Nic's world, where I shared with