Fantastic Fest Interview: Filmmaker Nicolas Winding Refn On His Book ‘THE ACT OF SEEING’

Preston Barta // Editor

While he’s certainly had his hands full lately with his upcoming film THE NEON DEMON, filmmaker Nicolas Winding Refn (DRIVE, ONLY GOD FORGIVES) stopped in Austin, TX, for a special exhibit and signing celebration of his new book, THE ACT OF SEEING.

Co-authored by London’s FrightFest curator and acclaimed horror expert Alan Jones, THE ACT OF SEEING shares Refn’s unique collection of over 300 rare American film posters, which are all bound in a rich hardcover book. Stemming from an obsession with the art house film posters that decorated the exterior walls of local movie theatres, the book shows Refn’s earliest visual connection with film, including the vintage visuals of SPIKED HEELS AND BLACK NYLONS, OBSCENE HOUSE and ALICE IN ACIDLAND to THE TWISTED SEX, TORTURE ME KISS ME and ZERO IN AND SCREAM.

Fresh Fiction had the opportunity to catch up with Refn to discuss his new book, his film tastes compared to his wife’s, and thoughts on modern posters.

Our interview with Nicolas Winding Refn Discusses THE ACT OF SEEING:

0:13-1:32 | How his tastes in film align with his wife’s
1:32-1:56 | How many films in the book his wife has seen
1:56-2:15 | Purpose of his book
2:15-2:35 | Where you can find the films in the book
2:35-3:21 | Thoughts on modern posters and his movie posters
3:21-3:42 | Familiarity with the films in the book
3:21-4:47 | If someone made a film about his life

THE ACT OF SEEING hits shelves on Monday, October 5th. You can pre-order it now at fabpress.com.