Neocount

Hello, Mr. Refn,

I am just letting you know that I am a huge fan of your work!

I actually had several questions:

1. I was wondering what your main influences were in the creation of Drive? Many people have pointed to older films such as The Driver or Michael Mann projects such as Thief and Miami Vice as possible sources of inspiration for story, setting, and atmosphere. What would you say your main inspirations have been?

2. Also, how do you pick your soundtracks? Your work introduced me to Kavinsky and College, for which I am grateful, as well as a whole genre of similar music. What would you call that genre, and what motivated you to use that kind of soundtrack in Drive?

3. What motivated you to set Only God Forgives in Thailand specifically?

4. I have been in several internet arguments about Drive in which other posters have insisted that Gosling's acting was "wooden," that the character was "flat," or even implied that the Driver is a high functioning autistic. I have argued time and time again that the Driver is meant to be deliberately mysterious and ambiguous, but many people seem to misinterpret this as flat or uninteresting. What would you say to the alternate character interpretations some viewers have proposed?

5. How do you feel about the computer game Hotline Miami (which many people have insisted is stylistically similar to Drive)?

btw the atmosphere of your films is excellent and you are great at stories with morally ambiguous protagonists. What are your next projects, and will they have similar themes?

Mr. Vogel,

I want you to know what a huge inspiration your work has been to me. I discovered the Exile/Avernum series at a very dark time in my life and seeing the world of Exile/Avernum as a metaphor for where I was at the time helped me get through it all right.

Years later I still play Avernum from time to time, and I love the setting in Geneforge as well. Nethergate was also good: it felt like you did a lot of research into Celtic and Roman mythology, which was pretty sweet. Diggin' Avadon: The Black Fortress as well.

btw the Nephilim are definitely my favorite playable race. =^.= (btw did you ever have any plans to make the Vahnatai a playable race?)

Also, the stories and settings in all of your games are supremely imaginative and original. Have you ever thought of putting your talents to use writing novels or screenplays with themes and/or settings similar to your games?

Thank you! I figured as much regarding the vahnatai. btw another question: someone asked about literary influences, but I was also wondering what real world influences you drew from in creating the fictitious religions, cultures, governments etc. that appear in your games?