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Should you watch The Five Obstructions?

Who it’s good for, who it isn’t, and what’s in it. No ratings, no scores.

The Five Obstructions

Documentary · 2003

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.

The sides of The Five Obstructions

  • Jørgen Leth remaking his own short film
  • Lars von Trier inventing the rules
  • One remake made as a cartoon

The Five Obstructions is good for you if…

  • you like a game between two directors that keeps getting stranger.
  • you're fascinated by Lars von Trier trying to break his mentor.
  • you enjoy two filmmakers sparring across a table.

The Five Obstructions is bad for you if…

  • you won't read subtitles for the Danish parts.
  • you need to know at the end who won the game between the two men.

About: creativity · constraints · mentorship

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