Director Nicolas Winding Refn broke down during a Cannes Film Festival press conference on Monday, May 19, while recalling a near-death experience [1].

The disclosure highlights the personal turmoil and health struggles of the filmmaker known for *Drive* and the *Pusher* trilogy as he promotes his latest work.

Refn said that he suffered a critical medical event in 2023 [1]. He described a condition involving a leaking heart that led to a period of clinical death. "I died for 25 minutes," Refn said [1].

The emotional press conference took place in Cannes, France, where the director was promoting his new thriller, referred to by some outlets as *Her Private Hell* [2]. Refn reflected on the fragility of life and the limited time he believes he has remaining.

Refn said, "I realized I had maybe 25 years left, but I was going to make damn good use of those 25 years" [3]. He also referred to himself as the "Bionic Man" following the ordeal [2].

The director's breakdown occurred while he was discussing how these health challenges have influenced his perspective on his career and mortality. He used the platform to connect his personal trauma with the themes of his new film—an exploration of internal struggle and survival.

Refn has not provided further medical specifics regarding the current state of his heart health beyond the 2023 incident [1].

“"I died for 25 minutes."”

Refn's public vulnerability at a major industry event underscores a growing trend of high-profile artists linking their physical mortality to their creative output. By framing his survival as a catalyst for his current work, he transforms a private medical crisis into a narrative tool for his film's promotion.