The Five Obstructions
2003 · Movie · 90 min · ★ 7.0 · 84% critics
An experimental documentary follows a playful but demanding creative challenge: a filmmaker must remake an earlier short film five times, each under a new set of strict rules. As the assignments grow stranger, the project becomes a lively look at pressure, limits, and artistic problem-solving.
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Streaming on MUBI.
2 hours to watch.
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Details
- Original title
- De fem benspænd
- Years
- 2003
- Release date
- 2003-11-07
- Language
- Danish
- Runtime
- 90 min
- Critic score
- 84/100
- TMDB rating
- 7.0/10 (179 votes)
About
You may like this if you enjoy art-focused documentaries such as F for Fake; Not for you if you want a conventional story, fast pace, or little talk about movies.
Pros: inventive premise; witty exchanges; creative insight | Cons: niche appeal; slow stretches; self-absorbed moments
Themes
- third world
- challenge
- animated scene
- director
- filmmaking
- mentor protégé relationship
Awards & recognition
- International Submission to the Academy Awards · 2005 · nominated
- European Film Award — Best Documentary · 2003 · nominated
Cast & crew
Jørgen Leth
as Voice-over (from Det perfekte menneske) / Self - Director / +
Lars von Trier
as Self / Obstructor (segment "The Conversations")
Claus Nissen
as The Perfect Man (from Det perfekte menneske) (archive footage)
- MN
Majken Algren Nielsen
as The Perfect Woman (from Det perfekte menneske) (archive footage)
- DR
Daniel Hernandez Rodriguez
as The Perfect Man (segment "Cuba")
Jacqueline Arenal
as The Perfect Woman (segment "Cuba")
- VR
Vivian Rosa
as (segment "Cuba")
Patrick Bauchau
as The Perfect Man / Voice-over (Brussels) / Speaker (Cartoon)
Alexandra Vandernoot
as The Perfect Woman (segment "Brussels")
- MD
Marie Dejaer
as Maid (segment "Brussels")
Directed by Jørgen Leth, Lars von Trier