The Element of Crime
1984
Not currently streaming on CaSTV
Synopsis
Fisher, an ex-detective, decides to take one final case when a mysterious serial killer claims the lives of several young girls. Fisher, unable to find the culprit, turns to Osbourne, a writer who was once respected for his contributions to the field of criminology. Fisher begins to use Osbourne's technique, which involves empathizing with serial killers; however, as the detective becomes increasingly engrossed in this method, things take a disturbing turn.
Key facts
Cast
Jerold Wells, Ahmed el Shenawi, Esmond Knight, Michael Elphick, Meme Lai
Original language
English
Production companies
DANSKE FILMINSTITUT (DANEMARK), PER HOLST FILMPRODUCTION, Danish Film Institute
Home video distributors
Carrère Vidéo (France), Unicorn Video (United States)
Awards
Bodil Award for Best Danish Film, Robert Award for Best Danish Film, Robert Award for Best Costume Design, Robert Award for Best Editing, Robert Award for Best Cinematography, Robert Award for Best Production Design
Crew
Screenplay
Lars von Trier, Neils Vírsel
Cinematography
Tom Elling
Editing
Tomas Gislason
Music
Bo Holten
Trailer
Stills
Reviews
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Festival History
- Festival du Nouveau Cinéma 2025 - Histories of Cinema
- Edinburgh International Film Festival 2017 generic
- International Film Festival Rotterdam 1992 generic
- São Paulo International Film Festival 1985 generic
- Cannes Film Festival 1984 generic
Titles
| Translated title | The Element of Crime | English, Québec |
| Québec French title | L'Élément du crime |
VHS & home video releases
| VHS | Carrère Vidéo (cat. no. 93.253) | 1985, France |
| VHS | Unicorn Video (cat. no. 1243) | 1990, United States, slipcase |
Versions & editions
| Home video VHS | France | 1985 93.253 |
| Home video VHS | United States | 1990 1243 |
Full credits
| Director | Lars von Trier |
| Cast | Jerold Wells, Ahmed el Shenawi, Esmond Knight, Michael Elphick, Meme Lai |
| Screenplay | Lars von Trier, Neils Vírsel |
| Cinematography | Tom Elling |
| Editing | Tomas Gislason |
| Music | Bo Holten |
| Production design | Peter Híimark |
| Sound | Morten Degnbol, Iben Haahr |
Source: Cinémathèque québécoise, linked catalogue data (CC BY 4.0)
