Interesting early von Trier film that alternates between 16mm and 35mm black & white.
The 35mm sequences are beautifully shot by Danish cinematographer Henning Bendtsen, who was Carl Dreyer's D.P. (!). He later shot the astounding "Europa" for von Trier. Interesting to think of those two working together...
In the commentary on the Epidemic DVD, von Trier said that whenever Bendtsen put in his diffusion filter, "he would make everyone on set turn their backs" so he could keep the type of filter he used a secret.
If you've seen the film, the diffusion filter created halation, overblown windows and glowing highlights (the white lab coats of the doctors glowed brilliantly) Robert Richardson-style. However, the image seemed to remain razor sharp, snappy and contrasty.
So, all this begs the question: what filter do you think Bendtsen used?
What is the best way to get your highlights to pop up glowing like that but at the same type maintain a very sharp image and not suffer from the softening effects that a soft or frost diffusion filter will give you?