Detective fisher is an exiled cop who has lost his memory. In the film's beginning, an Egyptian psychiatrist puts him under hypnosis. Then his story is told. We are taken to a futuristic film noir style Germany. Fisher is trying to catch a serial killer who preys on young girls. Along the way he develops a strange relationship with a prostitute. Lars Von Trier's debut "The Element of Crime" is similar to his "Zentropa", except it takes place in a bleak post apocalyptic future. Shot in brown sepia with occasional tints and splashes of color, at times I was reminded of "Sin City". But it's vision of the future closely resembles Jeunet and Caro's "Delicatessen" and "City of Lost Children". Also it recalls the work of Russian director Tarkovsky. "The Element of Crime" moves slow at times and is somewhat confusing. Even with its slight flaws, It's still a stunning and surreal cinematic experience that you'll probably have to watch more than once.