Displaying items by tag: Nicholas Winding Refn

PUSHER II

Denmark 2004, 102 minutes, Colour.

Mads Mikkelsen, Leif Sylvester, Anne  Sorensen..

Directed by Nicholas Winding Refn,

Review of the original film: Pusher has gained a considerable reputation since its first release in 1996. it was the cinema calling card, so to speak, for the writer and director, Nicolas Winding Refn, only in his 20s. This was a hard-hitting, visual film in its themes as well as its in its hand-held camera style and the vigorous and aggressive musical score top.

It starred Kim Bodnia, a powerful screen presence in Denmark at the period. His friend was played by Mads Mikkelsen, on the verge of a very successful career and international fame.

The film shows the seedy Copenhagen, drug dealing, the locals caught up in this drug world, the effect on their lives, relationships. It also highlights the influence of Eastern European criminals, a scene that was to develop in many films from Europe and, in extension, from the US.

Pusher II is the second film in a trilogy of Pusher films written and directed by Refn. Each film takes place in the same fictional Copenhagen underworld. The original Pusher follows Tonny's original partner Frank (Kim Bodnia), and his desperate attempt to raise money after a drug deal gone wrong. Pusher II references the events of this film several times. Charlotte comments on the scars on Tonny's head, a result of the beating he received from Frank. Milo later asks Tonny if he has seen Frank lately, as Milo wanted to kill Frank at the end of Pusher. This comment reveals that Frank disappeared after the events of that film, but it's not mentioned if he fled or was killed.  (Wikipedia)

Fans of the Pusher films are very favourable towards this sequel. Others may find it rather graphic in its portrayal of gang violence, killings and torture, sexual sequences, language.