As Byzantine as a novel by Kafka, as twisted of plot as any story by Raymond Chandler, Lars von Trier's first full-length feature was immediately accepted for competition in Cannes 1984 and proceeded to win a Prix Technique. Using an English dialogue, Trier's tale runs through water-logged subterranean post-Apocalypse landscapes to the key of everything: penetration and assimilation of the criminal mind.
| Original title | The Element of Crime |
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| Danish title | Forbrydelsens element |
| Director | Lars von Trier |
| Screenplay | Lars von Trier, Niels Vørsel, Tom Elling, Tómas Gislason, Lars von Trier |
| Director of Photography | Tom Elling |
| Editor | Tómas Gislason |
| Sound | Morten Degnbol, Iben Haahr Andersen, Henrik Fleischer, Tómas Gislason |
| Composer | Bo Holten |
| Production designer | Peter Høimark |
| Casting | Liz Cassidy |
| Appearance | Michael Elphick, Esmond Knight, MeMe Lai, Jerold Wells |
| Production country | Denmark |
| Domestic distribution | Kærne Film |
| International sales | TrustNordisk |
| Technical info | 35 mm, Widescreen, color, Sound |
| Danish theatrical release | 14.05.1984 |
| Cinemas | Odense, Århus, Aalborg, Palads, Grand |
| TV release | 15.01.1987, TV |
| Find more |
Bo Green Jensen: Springerens faktor. Bo Green Jensen: "Billeder på færden. 25 film fra 80'erne". Borgen 1987, s. 38-44. (Optryk fra Tusind Øjne 71/1984). Esben Krohn: Gravrøsten. "Lars von Trier", red. Troels Degn Johansson m.fl. Sekvens, Filmvidenskabelig årbog 1991, s. 73-84. Niels-Aage Nielsen: Kun semiotik. "Lars von Trier", red. Troels Degn Johansson m.fl. Sekvens, Filmvidenskabelig årbog 1991, s. 59-72. Carsten Juhl: Forbrydelsens element som D-dag. Tusind Øjne 72/1984. Jan Kornum Larsen: Samtale med Lars von Trier. Kosmorama 167/1984. Jan Kornum Larsen: Forbrydelsens element. Kosmorama 168/1984. Jens Loftager: Forbrydelsens element. MacGuffin 51-52/1984. Klaus Rifbjerg: Den sidste turist i Europa. Levende Billeder 6/1984. |
| Danish rating | Children under 16 not admitted |
Companies |
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| Production company | Per Holst Filmproduktion |
| Domestic distribution | Kærne Film |
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Direction |
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| Direction | Lars von Trier |
| Assistant director | Åke Sandgren |
| Director: 2. unit | Åke Sandgren |
| Continuity | Stine Monty Freddie |
| Casting | Liz Cassidy |
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Script |
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| Screenplay | Lars von Trier |
| Screenplay | Niels Vørsel |
| Screenplay | Tom Elling |
| Screenplay | Tómas Gislason |
| Screenplay | Lars von Trier |
| Dialogue consultant | William Quarshie |
| Script consultant | Mogens Rukov |
| Translation | William Quarshie |
| Translation | Steven Wakelam |
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Production |
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| Executive producer | Per Holst |
| Production manager | Per Årman |
| Production manager | Sanne Arnt Torp |
| Production assistant | Jan Richter-Friis |
| Production coordinator: post-production | Palle Nybo Arestrup |
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Cinematography |
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| Cinematography | Tom Elling |
| Camera assistant | Søren Berthelin |
| Camera assistant | Steen Møller Rasmussen |
| Cinematographer | Inge Breitenstein |
| Cinematographer | Ole Ross |
| Cinematographer | Niels Nedergaard |
| Cinematographer | Jørgen Lyd Nielsen |
| Cinematographer: 2. unit | Tom Elling |
| Cinematographer: 2. unit | Søren Berthelin |
| Cinematographer: 2. unit | Lars von Trier |
| Cinematographer: 2. unit | Otto Stenov |
| Underwater cinematographer | Leif Stubkjær |
| Key grip | Otto Stenov |
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Stills |
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| Still photographer | John Johansen |
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Electrical dept. |
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| Electrical dept. | Eg Norre |
| Electrical dept. | Jan Guldbrandsen |
| Assistant lighting technician | Flemming Bruhn |
| Assistant lighting technician | Jan Gylov |
| Best boy: 2. unit | Preben Seltoft |
| Best boy: 2. unit | Birger Larsen |
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Editing |
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| Editing | Tómas Gislason |
| Assistant editor | Jack Thuesen |
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Music |
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| Music | Bo Holten |
| Vocal ensemble | Ars Nova |
| Orchestra | Danmarks Radios Symfoniorkester |
| Singing | Sonja Kehler |
| Lyrics: Den sidste turist i Europa | Mogens Dam |
| Composer: Den sidste turist i Europa | Henrik Blichmann |
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Production design |
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| Production design | Peter Høimark |
| Set dresser | John Johansen |
| Set dresser | William Knuttel |
| Set dresser | Peter Grant |
| Set dresser | Tove Robert Rasmussen |
| Set dresser | Lars Nielsen |
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Wardrobe |
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| Wardrobe | Manon Rasmussen |
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Makeup |
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| Makeup | Birte Christensen |
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Sound |
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| Sound | Morten Degnbol |
| Sound | Iben Haahr Andersen |
| Sound | Henrik Fleischer |
| Sound | Tómas Gislason |
| Sound assistant | Peter Englesson |
| Dubbing and mix | Iben Haahr Andersen |
| Dubbing and mix | Morten Degnbol |
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Special effects |
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| Special effects | Peter Høimark |
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Stunt |
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| Stunt | Lasse Spang Olsen |
| Stunt | Ole Jacob Victor |
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Appearance |
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| Fisher | Michael Elphick |
| Osborne | Esmond Knight |
| Kim, prostitueret | MeMe Lai |
| Kramer | Jerold Wells |
| Hypnotisør | Ahmed El Shenawi |
| Husholderske | Astrid Henning-Jensen |
| Retsmediciner | Janos Hersko |
| Retsmedicinerens assistent | Stig Larsson |
| Portier 1 | Harry Harper |
| Portier 2 | Roman Moszkowicz |
| Hvid politimand | Frederik Casby |
| Sort politimand | Duke Addabayo |
| Lotto-pige 1 | Camilla Overbye |
| Lotto-pige 2 | Maria Behrendt |
| Arkivar | Mogens Rukov |
| Hotelgæst | Leif Magnusson |
| "Den evige jøde" | Lars von Trier |
| Bedstefar | Preben Lerdorff Rye |
| Vred politimand | Jon Bang Carlsen |
| Dommer | Gotha Andersen |
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| Music | Year | Composer |
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| Forbrydelsens element [Score] | 1984 | Bo Holten |
| Der letzte tourist in Europa | 1984 | Henrik Blichmann |
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