This was the first time I've watched this film. I don't think it will be the last. It is a film of striking originality. The cinematography is bathed in a golden light that makes it reminiscent of sci fi films. Yet the narrative of the film is film noir. The Element of Crime was von Trier's first film. It came after Images of a Relief which I watched too. The Element of Crime is a great first film. It has original characteristics which can't be denied.
Perhaps the story could have been stronger. After the detective has sex with the prostitute on top of the VW the story becomes very obscure. It could have been clearer. At no time do we meet Harry Grey. It would have made for a great suspenseful, cathartic release to finally see Harry Grey. Perhaps that is not what von Trier wanted us to see. Harry Grey remains forever in the shadow. The detective is taken into custody as the prime suspect in the latest murder which I found a little too obvious. I suppose von Trier was making the statement that studying crime leads to criminality. Aside from the lack of narrative punch the aesthetics of the film are undeniably great.
I hate to be a cliche, but the film did win a technical award at Cannes the year it was released. I think it is well deserved. The edting is great. The film is incredibly well shot. And the direction is superb. I will return to this film again and again. I really liked the environment in which it was set. An apocalyptic Europe overrun by floods and crime. The setting was surrealistic. Sometimes out of a Dali painting.
This was the first film in von Trier Europa trilogy. I plan to watch all three installments. I have already seen Europa, but I have not seen Epidemic and this is the first time I have seen The Element of Crime. I'm also reading a book about von Trier which will lend some biographical and thematic substance to any blog post I write about von Trier's films or his cinematic inspirations.
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