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The Five Obstructions

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.

Top Cast

  • Jørgen Leth

    Jørgen Leth

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

  • Lars von Trier

    Lars von Trier

    Self / Obstructor (segment "The Conversations")

  • Claus Nissen

    Claus Nissen

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

  • Majken Algren Nielsen

    Majken Algren Nielsen

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

  • Daniel Hernandez Rodriguez

    Daniel Hernandez Rodriguez

    The Perfect Man (segment "Cuba")

  • Jacqueline Arenal

    Jacqueline Arenal

    The Perfect Woman (segment "Cuba")

  • Vivian Rosa

    Vivian Rosa

    (segment "Cuba")

  • Patrick Bauchau

    Patrick Bauchau

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

  • Alexandra Vandernoot

    Alexandra Vandernoot

    The Perfect Woman (segment "Brussels")

Overview

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.

Rating

7.0 / 10
179 Reviews
1 Popular

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