In his film, which has its world première on the opening night of the festival, Alejandro Agresti plays one of the protagonists (Alex) while also being responsible for the camera work.The premise of the story of Modern Crimes is that people do not die but are killed and that is what Agresti wants to reveal in his film. Tim van Sandwijk (Roy Ward) is an ordinary young man, imprisoned in the drudgery of his existence as a radio mechanic. The only excitement at his work is stealing electronic parts so that he can spend his evenings putting together a short-wave receiver at home. The routine is broken one day when he hears that his best friend Alex has committed suicide. He refuses to accept the fact and tries to find out who the real murderer is. In the course of his quest his reality changes into a kind of thriller which only exists in his head; a puzzle that gradually takes shape and shows us the frustrations of Tim and also the destructive side of his friendship with Alex. His contacts with Alex are interwoven in the film as flashbacks. The conversation in which Alex tells him over dinner that he wants to get married in a hurry is crucial. Tim reacts negatively and suggests that his friend must be on drugs. That apparently confuses Alex. The synopsis indicates at this point ‘The frame freezes on Alex’ face and stays in this position for 20 seconds’.Is Tim guilty of Alex’ death?
