Gosling Film Booed, 'Only God Forgives' Flops in Cannes
Ryan Gosling received negative press at the Cannes Film Festival this week despite not even being in attendance.
The 32-year-old Hollywood favorite appears in director Nicolas Winding Refn's latest film "Only God Forgives," which premiered at the French Riviera film festival on Wednesday.
Following the screening, critics widely agreed that the film was not enjoyable because of the violence, and according to reports, members of the audience went as far as booing it.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
The violent content in "Only God Forgives" comes as no surprise- the previously released poster for the film displayed a bloodied, bruised and blackened Gosling with one eye swollen shut.
Regardless of the poor reception, Refn did not offer any apologies for the gruesome scenes in the film.
"Art is an act of violence," the director told The Star Toronto.
Filmed in Thailand, the story follows Gosling as a Thai-boxing gym owner and crime lord seeking vengeance for the death of his brother. The film also sees Kristin Scott Thomas and Tom Burke.
Thomas described the film as "hyper-violent and quite disturbing," noting that it was "really not my thing," but the actress wanted to challenge herself with a different role, according to The Star.
Gosling himself commented on the film, describing the script as "the strangest thing I've ever read and it's only going to get stranger," according to the Daily Mail.
The film is the second collaboration between Gosling and Refn. The actor appeared in Refn's "Drive" in 2011. The crime drama was also excessively violent.
"Only God Forgives" is scheduled to hit theaters everywhere on July 19.
Gosling did not attend the annual film festival in Cannes this year because the actor is busy making his directorial debut with "How To Catch A Monster."
With a cast that includes Christina Hendricks and Matt Smith, the film is set for release some time next year.
In the meantime, Gosling is filming the movie in Detroit where he has been spotted with girlfriend Eva Mendes in recent weeks.
After "How To Catch A Monster" is completed, Gosling has warned fans that he will be taking a break.
"I've lost perspective on what I'm doing, said "The Place Beyond the Pines" star speaking to the Associated Press. "I think it's good for me to take a break and reassess why I'm doing it and how I'm doing it. I need a break from myself as much as I imagine the audience does."
