enda
Film

The element of crime

Lars von Trier, Denmark, 1984

103 min.DK/Feature

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.
Basic information Credits Music Materials
Original title The Element of Crime
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
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Companies

Production company Per Holst Filmproduktion
Domestic distribution Kærne Film

Direction

Direction Lars von Trier
Assistant director Åke Sandgren
Director: 2. unit Åke Sandgren
Continuity Stine Monty Freddie
Casting Liz Cassidy

Script

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

Production

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

Cinematography

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

Stills

Still photographer John Johansen

Electrical dept.

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

Editing

Editing Tómas Gislason
Assistant editor Jack Thuesen

Music

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

Production design

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

Wardrobe

Wardrobe Manon Rasmussen

Makeup

Makeup Birte Christensen

Sound

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

Special effects

Special effects Peter Høimark

Stunt

Stunt Lasse Spang Olsen
Stunt Ole Jacob Victor

Appearance

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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