The Five Obstructions

Lars von Trier
2003-11-07


6.911
90 min

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.

Cast

Name Character Team
Jørgen Leth Voice-over (from Det perfekte menneske) / Self - Director / + Unowned
Lars von Trier Self / Obstructor (segment "The Conversations") Unowned
Claus Nissen The Perfect Man (from Det perfekte menneske) (archive footage) Unowned
Majken Algren Nielsen The Perfect Woman (from Det perfekte menneske) (archive footage) Unowned
Daniel Hernandez Rodriguez The Perfect Man (segment "Cuba") Unowned
Jacqueline Arenal The Perfect Woman (segment "Cuba") Unowned
Vivian Rosa (segment "Cuba") Unowned
Patrick Bauchau The Perfect Man / Voice-over (Brussels) / Speaker (Cartoon) Unowned
Alexandra Vandernoot The Perfect Woman (segment "Brussels") Unowned
Marie Dejaer Maid (segment "Brussels") Unowned
Pascal Perez Couple (Man) (segment "Brussels") Unowned
Meschell Perez Couple (Woman) (segment "Brussels") Unowned
Bent Christensen Gangster (from Det gode og det onde) (segment "Cartoon") Unowned
Anders Hove Naked Man (from Notater om kærligheden) ( segment "Cartoon") Unowned
Charlotte Sieling Naked Woman (from Notater om kærligheden) ( segment "Cartoon") Unowned
Jan Nowicki Man with Jacket (from Notater om kærligheden) ( segment Cartoon) Unowned
Stina Ekblad Woman with Money (from Notater om kærligheden) (segment Cartoon) Unowned
Bob Sabiston Self (segment "The Perfect Human: Cartoon") (uncredited) Unowned