Epidemic (1987)

A director and screenwriter pen a script and, in the process, blur the line between fiction and reality.

Director:

Lars von Trier

Writers:

Lars von Trier (screenplay) (as Lars Von Trier), Niels Vørsel (screenplay)

Stars:

Allan De Waal, Ole Ernst, Michael Gelting

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Allan De Waal
Ole Ernst
Michael Gelting
Colin Gilder
Svend Ali Hamann	...	Himself
Claes Kastholm Hansen	...	Himself
Ib Hansen
Anja Hemmingsen
Kirsten Hemmingsen
Cæcilia Holbek Trier	...	(as Cæcilia Holbek)
Gert Holbek
Udo Kier	...	Himself
Joergen Christian Krueff	...	(as Jørgen Christian Krüff)
Jan Kornum Larsen
Gitte Lind	...	Herself

Storyline

A film director and a script writer (performed by Lars von Trier and Niels Vørsel themselves) write a screenplay, in which an epidemic spreads about the whole world. Like the protagonist they do not notice, that a real epidemic is developing around them.

---

Plot Keywords:

plague | male frontal nudity | male nudity | scriptwriting | filmmaking | 

---

Genres:

Drama | Horror

---

Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

Denmark

Language:

Danish English

Release Date:

11 September 1987 (Denmark)

Also Known As:

Epidemia

Filming Locations:

Copenhagen, Denmark

Company Credits

Production Co:

Elementfilm A/S, Det Danske Filminstitut

Technical Specs

Runtime:

106 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The script von Trier and Vørsel have just finished writing at the beginning of the film is titled "The Policeman and the Whore" - an apparent reference to their previous collaboration, The Element of Crime (1984), whose lead characters are a detective and a prostitute.

---

Quotes

Cabbie: What the hell. All a nigger needs are loose shoes, tight pussies, and a warm place to shit.

---

Crazy Credits

The film's title appears in red letters in the upper left corner of the screen for the entire length of the film.

---

Connections

Referenced in Anecdotes from 'Epidemic' (2005)

---

Soundtracks

Tannhäuser (The Overture)
Composed by Richard Wagner

User Reviews

Let's not get over-sensitive, eh?

Look, I know a substantial proportion of the American population get a little hot under the collar when funny-talking foreigners start criticising the American government and way of life, but hey - when you're the only country in the world inclined to and capable of dictation of world policy, you gotta take it on the chin. While Von Trier even makes me wince sometimes (the end credits to Dogville for instance), it's his point of view and is worthy of thought. He isn't here to lick your derrière clean for you - if you can't take a little criticism of the homeland, I'd steer clear of any imported movies for a while. Anyhoo, when truly disrespectful films like Titanic break records and reap awards with nary a raised eyebrow, it's double standards to expect non-US films to walk the line you'd like. Von Trier is a genius film-maker... you may not agree with his politics, but you cannot doubt his talent.