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The Five Obstructions

Play trailer Poster for The Five Obstructions 2003 1h 31m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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88% Tomatometer 60 Reviews 84% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
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 the 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 ever more elaborate rules for the contest.
The Five Obstructions

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Both an intriguing intellectual exercise and an amusing look at the contrasts between the two filmmakers.

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Critics Reviews

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Joshua Rothkopf In These Times 03/16/2020
Von Trier's antic documentary The Five Obstructions...comically reveals the Dogmatist at his torturous worst while tapping into appealing depths of insecurity he's never allowed himself. Go to Full Review Noel Murray The Dissolve 04/21/2014
4/5
[...]The reason The Five Obstructions lingers as an essential part of von Trier's filmography [...] is because it reveals so much about why von Trier has worked the way he has in the past [...] Go to Full Review Nick Schager Lessons of Darkness 05/03/2005
B+
Fascinating (and oft-times infuriating). Go to Full Review Nicholas Bell IONCINEMA.com 11/04/2020
4/5
As much as it is an examination of filmmaking, it's also a rather brilliant motivation to goad one friend into creative action, for, as we move along through the film, one can assume that Von Trier and Leth both seem to struggle with issues of depression. Go to Full Review Jeffrey Overstreet Image 11/23/2011
A-
Von Trier is rejuvenating his mentor's imagination. He's also reminding him that art can 'catch the conscience' of the audience and the artist. Go to Full Review Robert Davis Paste Magazine 06/05/2008
3.5/5
[Leth's] strength against adversity elevates the movie above the one-sided whipping of a genial man to a more interesting duel of filmmakers. He parries when von Trier thrusts. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Mason M @RT73597940 02/20/2025 I'm not usually the biggest fan of documentaries, but this is probably the best one I've ever seen. Von Trier was hilarious in this and I loved the dynamic between the two characters. It was also very interesting seeing how Leth made his films and how he worked the obstructions, with his film segments being some of the best parts of the whole movie. It's far from von Trier's best, but it's still an amazing film. See more David F @dfulmer 05/01/2024 Lars von Trier is a mischievous joker in this film where he has a documentary filmmaker remake an old film with a variety of modifications and handicaps. I wasn’t sure where it was going, but it did culminate in a ruminative and philosophical climax with food for thought. See more 10/08/2015 The Five Obstructions is perfectly fine as a documentary. As with anything that has aspirations you will find those on either side that love or hate it. This is not a film that deserves such strong reactions. It is more like: let us try this challenge for fun and see if it comes out interesting. The Five Obstructions does come off as mildly interesting, especially for those who are interested in the creative process. It is not as good as a film as Hearts of Darkness but rather is at about the level of Lost in La Mancha. Really, it's fine. See more 05/04/2014 One of the most unusual films I've ever seen. Lars von Trier challenges Jørgen Leth to create Leth's short film under five obstructions. The two film makers communicated through the making of the films. It's not the documentaries that you see every day. Once again, Lars von Trier amazed me with his amazing creativity. I am in awe. See more 11/23/2013 The Five Obstructions as sought after by Lars von Trier to be placed on Leth's "The Perfect Human" explores several different cinematic technicalities in filmmaking, including the ethics of one's work and the theoretical reinterpretation of it. It's also very nice to see the relationship between the two filmmakers play off on screen. See more 11/15/2013 It's hard to imagine that there are people who really think like these two directors do, yet what I started off perceiving as pretensions soon became interesting and thoughtful. See more Read all reviews
The Five Obstructions

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Cast & Crew

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Jørgen Leth

Director

Lars von Trier

Director

Claus Nissen

The Perfect Man

Peter Aalbæk Jensen

Executive Producer

Kim Hattesen

Cinematographer

Dan Holmberg

Cinematographer

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The Five Obstructions

The Five Obstructions (2003) The Five Obstructions (2003) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis 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 the 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 ever more elaborate rules for the contest.
Director
Jørgen Leth, Lars von Trier
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
Danish
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 11, 2003, Original
Release Date (DVD)
Apr 22, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA)
$151.0K
Runtime
1h 31m
Sound Mix
Surround, Dolby SR