Liv Corfixen's 'My Life Directed by Nicolas Winding Refn', as the title suggests, documents the production of Refn's 2013 film 'Only God Forgives', displaying the hardships a big-time director must face while carrying the weight of his family alongside him.
Shot in Bangkok, the documentary dives Refn's stressed-out mind and world as we see the behind-the-scenes efforts to produce such a large and ambitious film: the financial struggles, the struggles of sticking to a schedule, and the facade a director must display in order to keep the entire crew and production rolling.
While 'Only God Forgives' was given fairly mixed reviews -- and rightfully so, as it's nothing particularly amazing, and can be confusing -- but the documentary allows the viewer to see the bigger picture behind the film: Refn's own personal experiences with life, and feeling as if he is fighting God, a losing battle.
Refn shows his doubts that the viewers and critics will catch that meaning, suggesting that even he doesn't really understand what the film is about, even at the point of production. But that said, this documentary is very personal, but not just from the viewpoint of Refn, but from his wife, who also is a filmmaker.
Liv Corfixen shows how she is left with the kids, left to attempt to manage her own career but forever feeling kept in the shadow of Refn's career and busy lifestyle. It's saddening to see, but also a nice, rare glimpse into the world of filmmaking, and just how stressful and time-consuming it can be, especially for one with a family. Refn tells the camera of his worries that the film won't breakeven, that he'll fall back into debt again, and that he's worried everyone just expects another 'Drive'.
This documentary is highly worth watching, especially if you are a fan of the director and perhaps haven't even seen 'Only God Forgives'; it offers touching look at how people must make sacrifices in order to produce art, entertainment, to pour months into something that one sits and watches for only two hours.
