TrustNordisk has closed several distribution deals for a 4K remastered version of Nicolas Winding Refn’s “Pusher” trilogy, including “Pusher,” “Pusher II – With Blood on My Hands” and “Pusher III – I Am the Angel of Death.”
Distribution deals have been closed in Benelux with September Film Rights, Switzerland with Praesens Film, Germany with Plaion and Japan with Synca Creations. Movies Inspired in Italy and Blue Finch Film in the U.K. are also attached to distribute the film in those territories.
All three films, directed by Nicolas Winding Refn between 1996 and 2005, have undergone a thorough restoration process, and the first, “Pusher,” recently debuted at the Venice Film Festival, competing in the Venice Classics section. Not only does the trilogy stand out as a launchpad for the now-world-famous director, but the first two films were also vital in launching the career of actor Mads Mikkelsen, a longtime and frequent collaborator of Refn’s.
In “Pusher,” small-time drug dealer Frank is thrust into a week from hell after a heroin deal goes sideways, leaving him deeply in debt to Milo, a ruthless Balkan drug lord. Over the course of the week, Frank goes to great lengths to pay off the debt as Milo turns the screws on him. Nothing goes to plan for Frank, and he’s forced to face the consequences of his self-induced situation.
“Having written and directed my first feature at age 24, you could say I created the film with the pure arrogance of youth,” Refn said of the trilogy’s first installment when its remaster was picked for Venice.
The restoration process for all three films was produced in collaboration with NWR, TrustNordisk, and Nordisk Film Distribution, who used original 16mm camera negatives that were scanned in 4K. A new conform/online edit with updated graphics was performed, and the entire visual aspect of the films has been carefully restored supervised by cinematographer Morten Søborg and director Nicolas Winding Refn. Additionally, a completely new sound mix has been created, now featuring Atmos audio.
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