Renowned Beverly Hills-based artist and gallery owner Sir Daniel Winn is set to make his most personal artistic statement yet with Chrysalis, an upcoming feature film scheduled for worldwide release in 2026. The project marks a bold new chapter for Winn, whose internationally recognized work in “Existential Surrealism” has already earned him acclaim in galleries and museums around the world.
Directed by J. Robert Schulz and written by Andrew Creme, Chrysalis is based on Winn’s upcoming memoir and offers a deeply intimate portrayal of his extraordinary journey—from his childhood departure from war-torn Vietnam to his eventual emergence as a celebrated artist, philanthropist, and creative visionary. While previous films produced by Winn leaned heavily into abstract visual storytelling, Chrysalis takes a more narrative approach, blending dialogue-driven scenes with the philosophical underpinnings that have long defined Winn’s work.
“Film allows me to express my artistic philosophy on a deeper, more immersive level than painting or sculpture alone ever could,” Winn explained. “Chrysalis is not only my story, but a universal metaphor for human transformation. Each of us undergoes our own metamorphosis—whether we emerge as butterflies or moths depends on the choices we make and the experiences that shape us.”
At the heart of Chrysalis is the theme of metamorphosis itself, using the image of the chrysalis to symbolize the pain, struggle, and ultimate beauty that can arise from life’s most difficult moments. The story focuses on a critical period from ages six to nine in Winn’s life, but as he notes, “the film speaks to anyone who has gone through loss, pain, or darkness and still holds on to hope.”
Joining Winn on screen is Vietnamese-American actress Kieu Chinh, a multi-award-winning and internationally celebrated performer. Her distinguished career includes a standout role in The Joy Luck Club (1993). More recently she’s appeared in HBO’s The Sympathizer and Apple TV+s Dope Thief. Her participation brings additional depth and authenticity to the film’s exploration of Vietnamese heritage, familial bonds, and cultural identity.
Randall J. Slavin serves as executive producer on Chrysalis. Slavin is co-owner and partner of WS Productions as well as Winn Slavin Fine Art, contributing his extensive experience and vision to the project. Chrysalis is being produced by WS Productions in collaboration with renowned Vietnamese actress and producer Trương Ngọc Ánh and her production company. Known for her impactful films such as The White Silk Dress, Hương Ga, and Abduction, Trương Ngọc Ánh leads the production efforts in Vietnam, bringing her expertise and passion to this international collaboration. Also part of the production team is Tien Pham.
Beyond the screen, Sir Daniel Winn’s art continues to reflect the very existential questions that Chrysalis explores. His signature style of Existential Surrealism challenges viewers to examine the nature of existence. Drawing from his own life experiences, Winn’s paintings and sculptures often blend figurative and abstract elements, manifesting the complex layers of human existence.
Winn’s accomplishments in the arts and philanthropy have earned him recognition worldwide, including a knighthood granted by the German Princely Family of Schaumburg-Lippe-Nachod in 2018 for his contributions to culture and humanitarian efforts.
With Chrysalis, Winn hopes to reach audiences far beyond the gallery walls, offering a cinematic experience that is both intensely personal and universally resonant. “In one way or another, everyone has experienced pain and triumph,” Winn said. “Chrysalis is my story, but it belongs to anyone who has faced life’s challenges and found a way to transform.”
Chrysalis is slated for global release in 2026.