Only God Forgives (2013)

Cinematography by Larry Smith

Directed by Nicolas Winding Refn

If there is one film on the list that evokes the old style over substance debate, than it is Nicolas Winding Refn’s Only God Forgives (2013). I absolutely hated the film, and I am not alone. At Cannes the audience was divided as well, with some people embracing it, but even more people rejecting it. But whatever you want to say about it, the style of the film is something special. He seems to be able to bend poor taste (he prefers the more tacky genres) into something rather tasteful. It was not my cup of tea, but I can see how other people find it fascinating.  I do have the feeling that Refn leaves very little freedom of movement for his cinematographers.