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Jørgen Leth, Lars von Trier, Jacqueline Arenal, Daniel Hernandez Rodriguez, Patrick Bauchau ... see more see more... , Alexandra Van Der Noot , Claus Nissen , Maiken Algren , Stina Ekblad , Anders Hove , Charlotte Sieling , Burt Christensen , Marie Dejaer , Melanie Munt , Meschell Perez , Pascal Perez , Vivian Rosa , Majken Algren Nielsen

Danish auteur Lars von Trier directs the documentary-of-sorts The Five Obstructions (De Fem Benspænd). In 2001, von Trier convinces veteran filmmaker Jørgen Leth to create five remakes of his 1967 sho... read more read more...rt The Perfect Human. Calling himself the Obstructor, von Trier orders Leth to make his films in various parts of the world with extremely specific demands. For instance, the first film must be shot in Cuba with no set with only 12 frames per shot. The five remakes-within-the-film are "The Perfect Human: Bombay," "The Perfect Human: Brussels," "The Perfect Human: Cartoon," "The Perfect Human: Cuba," and "The Perfect Human: Avedøre, Denmark." Each has its own set of ridiculous limitations created by von Trier. The Five Obstructions was shown at the Sundance Film Festival as part of a special screening. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi

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5,833 ratings

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58 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 30 min.

Directed by: Jørgen Leth, Lars von Trier

Release Date: November 7, 2003

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DVD Release Date: October 5, 2004

Stats: 416 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (416)

  • ceWEBrity
    December 21, 2010
    ceWEBrity
    The penultimate film screened in the Lars von Trier course I took, this is a really fascinating, direct look at the obsession with mimicry and the simulacrum present in von Trier's previous work. It is, above all, a look at a supremely insecure auteur putting on a character with ... read morewhich to present his work to an expectant public, and the interface of that character with another director who seems wholly unconcerned with such frivolities. von Trier is as much a performer as the actors in the films he creates; his films cannot be comprehensively critically evaluated without looking at the singular creative force behind them, as auteur theory postulates. Here he turns the camera on himself, playing himself, playing an artist at odds with another artist, and the results are mind-boggling to say the least. We are meant to assume that he sees himself in Jorgen Leth in some capacity, especially as outlined by the final letter that he has Leth read, but more subtly in his attempts to "scar" Leth with the challenges he imposes upon him. Telling is von Trier's frustration when Leth rises to those challenges every single time.

    I think The Five Obstructions is valuable for how it reduces the concept of the auteur to a mere person, with his own foibles and defects. It doesn't necessarily divorce him from the art he creates; think of this somewhat as reality television for filmmakers, taking a pair of talented individuals and pitting them against each other in a series of challenges. The only catch here is that there is no reward, short of psychological fulfillment or defeat. Ultimately, the game is in von Trier's hands, and the way he plays it should hold considerable fascination for anyone interested in a thorough dissection of the personal process of filmmaking.
  • binky013
    March 19, 2008
    binky013
    I noted the time I stopped watching this: 45 minutes into the film. Holy Hannah, it goes on for another 45 minutes according to the jacket. I've spent a long 45 minutes many times in my life. A few oral surgeries come to mind. And only halfway there. Watching the entire thi... read moreng would be the equivalent of surviving botched oral surgery, with ensuing complications even. I quote the entire Netflix blurb, the one that suckered idiot me in:

    Danish filmmaker Lars von Trier, a leader in the Dogme 95 movement (which eschewed artificial lighting and props and promoted digital video), is legendary for his one-of-a-kind approach to moviemaking and the memorable fruits of his labors. In this collaboration with fellow director Jorgen Leth, von Trier challenges Leth to remake his 1967 movie The Perfect Human and documents the entire process, allowing viewers to see two geniuses at work.

    Allowing? Allowing! Oh, mahalo nui loa for the crumbs. Flixster friends, I would call your attention to the word "geniuses." Now I know I'm not a smart man. Perfect proof of this fact is that I often make the stupid assumption that when someone uses a word, say a word like "genius" or "geniuses," that this use of the word somehow matches my own idea of what the word means. In this case, I am disappointed in my clueless assumption yet again. I am not watching my idea of geniuses at work here. What I am watching is two very self-absorbed guys, who aren't geniuses in my universe, playing an irritating game, and that game is boring me to death. If only one of them would pull out a gun and introduce the ultimate obstruction -- killing the other one so the pain/film would end abruptly -- like unexpectedly opening the door so that the string goes taught in surprise and pulls the tooth out instantly, when you least expect it. A move like that would be pure genius in my personal dictionary.

    Walter, if you haven't already guessed it, I have another winner for our little list.

    Even worse, I'm particularly po'd right this minute because, in wasting time watching this piece of cruft, I just realized I've missed two-thirds of a two-hour documentary on Thelonius Monk. Dare I say, a "genius" in my book. Borat this borating movie.
  • fb1142797643
    March 10, 2012
    fb1142797643
    The premise of "The Five Obstructions" suggests a pretentious egghead jerk-off but, surprisingly, this is one of director Lars Von Trier's most watchable films. Perhaps it's because his Danish comrade Jorgen Leth supplies so much of the content.

    In 1967, Leth directed a 13-minut... read moree short titled "The Perfect Human." It's a stark, colorless film where most action occurs within a shapeless, white void. There are just two onscreen actors. A man and a woman, drolly presented as the ultimate examples of our species, simulate various mundane behaviors while deadpan narrator Leth describes their activity. It's a film with a curious, aloof appeal that's difficult to articulate.

    Decades later, Von Trier tests his friend Leth to remake this short five times while obeying some perverse, arbitrary rules (or "obstructions"). Von Trier's apparent goal is to tear down the protective artifice of filmmaking and force Leth to "expose" himself. The stipulations include having no shot longer than 12 frames, Leth taking the lead role, filming in Cuba, filming in the most miserable location Leth knows (answer: a crowded Mumbai slum) and even making a cartoon (a form that both men openly detest).

    Von Trier is a notorious character with oft-observed sadistic tendencies and, indeed, there is something unsettling about his manner. His mix of cruel demands, polite demeanor and a tiny, crafty smile recalls Nazi stereotypes (regardless of his recent Hitler-related controversy). But the affectionate rapport between him and Leth is sweet. Also, the resulting five shorts are quite entertaining. "The Five Obstructions" is incredibly self-indulgent, but film nerds will enjoy this gentle battle of wits.
  • michaelneumann
    March 3, 2005
    michaelneumann
    *strums guitar*

    A mole has burrowed into my lungs, you see
    He laughs in cough and speaks in wheeze
    He claws out my throat and rations my air
    This troublesome mole isn't being very fair

    [i]dooo dododooo dododooooot[/i]

    A cloud has burrowed in... read moreto my head, you see
    I wobble when it dances and echo when it sings
    It blocks my thought and puts walls in my mind
    This troublesome cloud isn't being very kind

    [i]dooo dododooo dododooooot[/i]

    A pirate has burrowed into my nose, you see
    He digs for gold boulders so carelessly
    He arr's and he yarr's in my snores at night
    This troublesome pirate isn't being very right

    [i]dooo dododooo dododooooot[/i]
    [i]dooo dododooo dododooooot[/i]
    [i]doot

    [/i]*sleeps*
  • mattsigur1
    January 7, 2010
    mattsigur1
    It was interesting to see how Lars von Trier tried to punish his idol, and some of these obstructions are quite entertaining. The main problem I have with this film is the sort of preachy ending. The message of the film and the challenges get muddled a bit and it makes it seem th... read moreat von Trier was just doing all this to put his name on something that was bigger than him and his works.
    Interesting, for sure, but also pretentious. I'm sure there's a noted backstory to this, a flailing old-school avant-garde director and a new school guy going head to head. This film does not portray those same interesting tidbits, and it bares a huge question, "Was the original Perfect Human that great to begin with?"
  • robfearon
    February 8, 2009
    robfearon
    Both an intriguing intellectual exercise and an amusing look at the contrasts between the two filmmakers.
  • Naesssal
    November 3, 2008
    Naesssal
    Should be mandatory viewing for all aspiring filmmakers. This is a portrait of how one incredible artist can take a former work and completely update and reinvent it. Jorgen Leth is an absolute hero and he proves more than capable when it comes to meeting the challenges of pret... read moreentious ass Lars Von Trier. This movie made me want to make a movie, and that is the best praise I can give it. Look for it entering my top favorite movies list some time soon.
  • jes25924
    June 30, 2008
    jes25924
    A documentary about creativity inspired by obstacles, how rules and "Dogma can produce new ideas, in those with drive and imagination. As well written and emotionally engaging as any of Von Trier's feature films. One of the most unique and effective documentaries ever made.
  • caffeinatedalex
    April 15, 2008
    caffeinatedalex
    Lars von Trier, according to himself in The Five Obstructions, considers himself an expert on few things. One of them is Jorgen Leth. And that is probably why the two got together to make this part documentary, part experimental film. The concept is that von Trier will watch J... read moreorgen Leth's seminal experimental film, "The Perfect Human," and then von Trier will dictate Leth in five remakes of the film. Each one will have different rules that Leth must comply with. One must include no shot longer than 12 frams, be set in Cuba, and answer the questions asked in the original film. Etc., etc. The film is an interesting experiment in every way. We see von Trier and Leth's meetings, discussing the obstructions. There is a lot of wit and dry humor concealed in these portions of the film. Then we watch Leth struggle to remake his film under von Trier's guidelines, seeing the journey of a filmmaker dedicated to one thing and one thing only. In fact I feel we miss out on a lot of Leth's personality in the film's complete and direct approach to capturing his filmmaking. Then we watch the films he has produced. Repeat. And here's where the Five Obstructions begins to fail... it's a bit boring. Exciting concept, exciting resulting films, but to watch each one unfurl becomes a bit reptitive and dull as the movie drags on. The surprise at the end is that the fifth obstruction is actually to be made by von Trier, about Leth, and it's a personal and touching moment to be sure. But von Trier's overwhelming pretentiousness infects every bit of what he does, sometimes to a negative effect, and the fifth obstruction is no exception.. Five Obstructions is a wonderful experiment, with mixed results.
  • wotall
    December 24, 2007
    wotall
    This is based on an awesome short film which they include in the bonus features. Rent this to see the short.

View All The Five Obstructions Reviews

Critic Reviews

Roger Ebert
September 10, 2004
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

A film like this has a limited audience, I suppose, but for that audience it offers a rare fascination. Full Review

Jonathan Rosenbaum
September 10, 2004
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader

It's amusing only if you agree not to think very much about it. Full Review

Bob Longino
September 9, 2004
Bob Longino, Atlanta Journal-Constitution

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. Full Review

Frank Scheck
June 17, 2004
Frank Scheck, Hollywood Reporter

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.

Wesley Morris
June 11, 2004
Wesley Morris, Boston Globe

Part of what hooks you to this movie is how Leth outsmarts his taskmaster, and how the two men have divergent, almost incompatible aesthetic ideals. Full Review

Kenneth Turan
June 3, 2004
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times

In only 90 minutes it encourages you to reexamine the nature of cinema, the sources of creativity, the unexpected joys of the unanticipated moment. And it couldn't be more fun to watch. Full Review

Andrew Sarris
June 3, 2004
Andrew Sarris, New York Observer

A special auteurist treat that's easier to enjoy than to describe or categorize. Full Review

Owen Gleiberman
June 2, 2004
Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly

A movie that's so eager and playful and inspired that it made me a von Trier believer again. Full Review

Lisa Rose
May 28, 2004
Lisa Rose, Newark Star-Ledger

It's a game of cinematic Survivor that takes on broader meaning, exploring film as a mode of self-expression and the latent insecurity that drives artists to deliver works of greatness. Full Review

John Anderson
May 27, 2004
John Anderson, Newsday

Leth leaves the viewer both exhilarated and maybe even optimistic about the capacity of human intelligence and creativity. Full Review

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