The Five Obstructions

Story

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 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.

Directors

Jørgen Leth, Lars von Trier

Writers

Asger Leth, Jørgen Leth, Lars von Trier

Language

Danish

Country

Belgium, Switzerland, Denmark, France

Release date

7 November 2003

Box office

$279,032

Ensemble

Cast

• 

  Jørgen Leth

  Voice-over (from Det perfekte menneske) / Self - Director / +

• 

  Lars von Trier

  Self / Obstructor (segment "The Conversations")

• 

  Claus Nissen

  The Perfect Man (from Det perfekte menneske) (archive footage)

• Majken Algren Nielsen

  The Perfect Woman (from Det perfekte menneske) (archive footage)

• Daniel Hernandez Rodriguez

  The Perfect Man (segment "Cuba")

• 

  Jacqueline Arenal

  The Perfect Woman (segment "Cuba")

• Vivian Rosa

  (segment "Cuba")

• 

  Patrick Bauchau

  The Perfect Man / Voice-over (Brussels) / Speaker (Cartoon)

• 

  Alexandra Vandernoot

  The Perfect Woman (segment "Brussels")

• Marie Dejaer

  Maid (segment "Brussels")

• Pascal Perez

  Couple (Man) (segment "Brussels")

• Meschell Perez

  Couple (Woman) (segment "Brussels")