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
The Five Obstructions
2003 · 1h 28m · Unrated
Documentary
Directed by
Lars von Trier
,
Jørgen Leth
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The Five Obstructions
Overview
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 and cast
- Lars von Trier Director
- Jørgen Leth Director
- Claus Nissen as The Perfect Man - from 'Det perfekte menneske' 1967
- Jørgen Leth as Voice-over (from Det perfekte menneske) / Self - Director / +
- Lars von Trier as Himself - Obstructor / Lars von Trier
- Majken Algren Nielsen as The Perfect Woman, from 'Det perfekte menneske' 1967)
- Jacqueline Arenal as The Perfect Woman
- Daniel Hernandez Rodriguez as The Perfect Man (segment "Cuba")
- Alexandra Vandernoot Cast
- Vivian Rosa Cast
- Patrick Bauchau Cast
Critics on Rotten Tomatoes
Top critics, in their words
89%
Tomatometer
Rotten
It's amusing only if you agree not to think very much about it.
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
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
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
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
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