The Europa trilogy is an experimental film trilogy created by Danish writers Lars von Trier and Niels Vørsel, comprising his three feature films The Element of Crime (1984), Epidemic (1987) and Europa (1991).
The films are set in different locations of Europe, and are not a narrative trilogy but rather are linked by common themes and stylistic explorations. The overarching subject of the trilogy may be taken to be the social crises and traumas of Europe in the future. Each of the three films follows a character whose idealistic actions ultimately perpetuate the very problem he seeks to solve. Trier's later USA: Land of Opportunities series also deals with both apparent social collapse, and the ill-effects of the interventions of idealistic individuals. Themes and creative aspects that the films share include hypnosis, a dystopian version of Europe, and experimental uses of colour. The trilogy also experiments with film noir conventions, and explores the relationship between reality and unreality.
The first and third films received largely positive reviews and garnered numerous awards including the Vulcan Award twice, while the second received mixed reviews.
Films The Element of Crime Trier's first film is The Element of Crime, a 1984 crime drama film with elements of dystopian and neo-noir genres set in a decaying future Europe. Michael Elphick portrays Fisher, a detective who has become an expatriate living in Cairo, undergoes hypnosis in order to recall his last case.
Epidemic Trier's second film is Epidemic, a 1987 horror film with elements of black comedy, medical thriller, and metafiction set in Copenhagen, Denmark. Trier and Niels Vørsel portray themselves as two of the three protagonists who write a new script about an epidemic: the outbreak of a plague-like disease. Last of the three protagonist is a doctor, Mesmer, who portrays Trier himself, goes to the countryside to find a cure.
Europa Trier's third film is Europa (known as Zentropa to North American release due to similarities to the title of 1990 film Europa Europa), a 1991 anti-war film with elements of psychological drama and romance set in US-occupied Germany after the end of World War II. Jean-Marc Barr portrays Leopold Kessler, an idealistic German-American who takes on work as a sleeping-car conductor for the Zentropa railway network, falls in love with a femme fatale (Barbara Sukowa portrays Katharina Hartmann), and becomes embroiled in a pro-Nazi terrorist conspiracy.
Production and release Due to lack of collaborations in his first film, Trier himself and Leif Magnusson are the only two actors who appeared in all films. Among others, Trier's ex-wife Cecilia Holbek and frequent collaborator Udo Kier also appeared in the latter two films. English title Danish title Release dateDirectorWriterProducerCastThe Element of CrimeForbrydelsens elementMay 14, 1984Lars von TrierLars von Trier and Niels VørselPer Holst Michael Elphick as Fisher Esmond Knight as Osborne Meme Lai as Kim Jerold Wells as KramerEpidemicEpidemicSeptember 11, 1987Jacob Eriksen Lars von Trier as himself Niels Vørsel as himself Udo Kier as himself Cecilia Holbek Trier (nee Holbek) as herselfZentropaEuropaMay 12, 1991Peter Aalbæk Jensen and Bo Christensen Jean-Marc Barr as Leopold Kessler Barbara Sukowa as Katharina Hartmann Udo Kier as Lawrence Hartmann Ernst-Hugo Järegård as Uncle Kessler
Reception Critical response English title Danish titleRotten TomatoesMetacriticThe Element of CrimeForbrydelsens element77% (13 reviews)66% (6 reviews)EpidemicEpidemic25% (8 reviews)66% (4 reviews)ZentropaEuropa80% (15 reviews)69% (15 reviews)
Awards English title Danish title AccoladesThe Element of CrimeForbrydelsens elementBodil Award for Best Danish FilmRobert Award for Best Danish FilmVulcan Award – Technical Grand PrizeAvoriaz Fantastic Film Festival – Grand PrixFantasporto Award for Best DirectorMannheim-Heidelberg International Filmfestival – Main AwardEpidemicEpidemicZentropaEuropaBodil Award for Best Danish FilmRobert Award for Best Danish FilmVulcan Award – Technical Grand PrizeCannes Film Festival – Prix du JuryCannes Film Festival Award for Best Artistic ContributionFantasporto Award for Best DirectorGhent International Film Festival – Grand PrixSitges Film Festival Award for Best FilmStockholm Film Festival – Bronze Horse
Legacy Europa trilogy was officially collected as a part of The Criterion Collection on January 17, 2023.
References
Further reading