Nicholas Winding Refn says Ryan Gosling is a ''cinema powerhouse''.

'The Only God Forgives' director - whose film is premiering at the Cannes Film Festival in the south of France this week - believes landing the talented actor will make his Bangkok-set crime drama a hot contender for the coveted Palme d'Or prize.

The Danish filmmaker told The Hollywood Reporter: ''[Ryan and I] are very similar. We say we must have been twins separated at birth. Of course, then there's the question of who is the good and who is the bad twin.

''But as an actor he is fearless -- he is willing to go anywhere if it works for the character. He is incredibly talented in terms of craft. He can say a thousand words without saying anything. When you have such a cinema powerhouse, why wouldn't you want to use it?''

Gosling plays an American living in Thailand who is forced to avenge his brother's murder in the dark drama, which reunited him with 'Drive' helmer Refn, who is famed for his chronological approach to directing.

Refn explained: '' 'Only God Forgives' is very much about the journey. You know, I make films like a pornographer. I shoot what arouses me. The only time I had to compromise a bit on this was with 'Drive' because it wasn't financially possible.''

Meanwhile, Thai actor Vithaya Pansringarmr, who plays corrupt cop the Angel of Vengeance and Gosling's adversary in the film, hinted just how much violence Cannes guests should expect during the screening.

He joked: ''I can only repeat a comment I heard from a producer: that 'Drive' looks like 'Mary Poppins' in comparison to 'Only God Forgives'.''