The Five Obstructions
Documentary
-
2003
Available on
Country
In 1967, experimental filmmaker Jorgen Leth created a striking short film, The Perfect Human, starring a man and women sitting in a box while a narrator poses questions about their relationship and humanity. Years later, Danish director Lars von Trier made a deal with Leth to remake his film five times, each under a different set of circumstances and with von Trier's strictly prescribed rules. As Leth completes each challenge, von Trier creates increasingly further elaborate stipulations.
Director:
Cast:
Similar
Details
Runtime:
88 min
Release date:
7 Nov 2003
Country:
BE, DK, FR, CH
Languages:
English, Danish, French, Spanish
Budget:
$0
Revenue:
$279,032
Awards:
2 wins & 4 nominations total
Top Critics Reviews
fresh:
A film like this has a limited audience, I suppose, but for that audience it offers a rare fascination.
– Roger Ebert,
Chicago Sun-Times,
10 Sep 2004
rotten:
It's amusing only if you agree not to think very much about it.
– Jonathan Rosenbaum,
Chicago Reader,
10 Sep 2004
fresh:
For those who treasure not only watching the intricate challenges of filmmaking but also feeling the thrill of tomfoolery and sharing the demonic joy of psychological twists, Obstructions is enthralling.
– Bob Longino,
Atlanta Journal-Constitution,
9 Sep 2004
fresh:
The relationship between the two filmmakers raises it above the category of academic experiment. Von Trier brings a diabolical glee to his role, and Leth matches it with an older, wiser brand of mischief.
– John Hartl,
Seattle Times,
16 Jul 2004
fresh:
In this enjoyable if trivial battle between von Trier's psychodrama theatricality and Leth's cool formalism, it's ultimately the viewer who comes out the winner.
– Frank Scheck,
Hollywood Reporter,
17 Jun 2004