The Five Obstructions

The Five Obstructions

2003 · 88 min · DA · 6.9 (183 votes)
Dir. Jørgen Leth, Lars von Trier · Starring Jørgen Leth, Lars von Trier, Claus Nissen, Majken Algren Nielsen, Daniel Hernandez Rodriguez, Jacqueline Arenal
Documentary

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.

VIBE

A fascinating, often hilarious, deep dive into the creative process. It’s a meta-cinematic puzzle box that explores the boundaries of artistic expression and the complex relationship between mentor and protégé.

intellectualplayfulmetachallengingsteadydocumentaryexperimentalarthousefilmmakingcreativitycollaborationartistic struggle
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third worldchallengeanimated scenedirectorfilmmakingmentor protégé relationship