Known for his atmospheric film style, Nicolas Winding Refn’s intense color treatment comes as the result of an optical condition: the Danish director is color blind. Unable to see mid-tones—he can only see extreme differences in color— Refn has developed a style favoring high-contrast shots, seen in his films including Only God Forgives and The Neon Demon.

In the latest short by director Toby Amies, Refn gets a long-overdue optical check-up as he riffs on his creative process, being from the future, and the power in embracing our weaknesses.

The Neon Demon is out in UK cinemas July 8, 2016