The Element of Crime(Forbrydelsens Element)

Total fascination – this intriguingly stylish debut feature manifests what Lars von Trier defines as the meaning of film. Set in a post-apocalyptic landscape soaked in murky sulphurous light and grungily expressionistic vibe, the first of his Europe Trilogy follows a battered detective, who undergoes hypnosis to relieve his psychic limbo and relive his fractured memories to solve a murder mystery through entering the criminal mind. Combining hard-boiled noir and dystopian science fiction, this mesmerising horror thriller announces the arrival of a singular, non-conforming voice, who will go on to startle cinema with his operatic nightmare of terrifying beauty.

Cannes Film Festival: Technical Grand Prize

Danish Film Awards: 7 awards including Best Film and Best Cinematography

22/2 (Sat): Film talk with Linda Lai