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The Five Obstructions

Play trailer Poster for The Five Obstructions Released Sep 11, 2003 1h 31m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
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

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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 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. Mar 16, 2020 Full Review Noel Murray The Dissolve [...]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 [...] Rated: 4/5 Apr 21, 2014 Full Review Empire Magazine Rated: 5/5 Dec 30, 2006 Full Review Nicholas Bell IONCINEMA.com 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. Rated: 4/5 Nov 4, 2020 Full Review Jeffrey Overstreet Image 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. Rated: A- Nov 23, 2011 Full Review Robert Davis Paste Magazine [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. Rated: 3.5/5 Jun 5, 2008 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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David F 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. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 05/01/24 Full Review Martin F A fascinating movie between documentary, anthology and remake. It's an exercise of style for director Leth. The Five Obstructions presents creativity and art through challenges. Lars Von Trier is a perfect choice for the judge, his borderline sadism forces Leth to outdo himself, even if sometimes it can be a little harsh to assist as a viewer. Each short films are pretty interesting, they are well-done, pretentious but never boring. One of them, it's particularly dark and maybe the most memorable part of the whole movie. I wish to see more of it, between different directors. It's fascinating to see how a creative mind works under limits and pressures and still come out with art and style. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 07/12/23 Full Review Audience Member 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. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/15/23 Full Review Audience Member 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. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/01/23 Full Review Audience Member 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. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/08/23 Full Review Audience Member 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. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/24/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Five Obstructions

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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