The Element of Crime (1984)

The Element of Crime (1984). 1h 44m | K-16

“How to describe a film so avant-garde that Dirk Bogarde threatened to quit the Cannes jury if it got an award? A film that references Blade runner, with a burned-out cop (Michael Elphick) brought back into a futuristic Europe to find a serial killer. A film that has been described by some as u0026quot;The Silence of the Lambsu0026quot; meets u0026quot;Delicatessenu0026quot;.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eFans of David Lynch may thrill at this futuristic film noir. Many will run for the exits, as it takes quite a bit of time to develop.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eIt is Lars von Trieru0026#39;s first English-language film, and it is in a sepia-tone that adds to the feeling that Europe is crumbling. Water is an element that flows throughout, again adding to the feeling that something is rotten.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eElphick hooks up with Me Me Lai in her last film. She had done a lot of cannibal work before this – an interesting combination of actors.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eElphick goes into a experimental drug-induced hypnotic state to try and recreate the crimes and catch the killer. Things get really surreal from here.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eCinematography, sound, and special effects were all superb in this very strange film.”