Crossing lines of good taste and political correctness with glee, Bård Breien's
Detective Downs delivers exactly what it promises on the tin: A noir tinged comedy about a private eye with Downs Syndrome as played by a lead actor who really has Downs Syndrome. Whether this is a joke that should be made at all is very much open to discussion but Breien has made it and the results are set for their world premiere at Austin's Fantastic Fest.
Robert runs his own detective office, but he never gets any cases. No
one believes Robert can accomplish anything and even his father, who is a
police investigator, rejects Robert. One morning a mysterious woman
appears in Robert's office. The legendary speed skater Olav Starr is
missing, and his family urgently needs an incompetent detective to
pacify an affluent and senile grandmother. Robert is perfect for the
job. Gradually Robert finds himself entangled in Olav's hidden life and
it becomes clear that this assignment is not without danger. But when
Robert reveals his special investigation method everyone's in for a big
surprise.
The first trailer for this one is freshly arrived, with English subtitles included,
and you can take a look below. [
Our embed appears to have gone wonky but you can view the trailer by clicking this link.] It's the most peculiar two minutes you'll spend today.