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The Five Obstructions (Widescreen)
- Starring: Jørgen Leth, Jacqueline Arenal, Daniel Hernández Rodríguez
- Director: Jørgen Leth, Lars von Trier
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Description
Danish auteur Lars von Trier directs the documentary-of-sorts The Five Obstructions (De Fem Benspænd). In 2001, von Trier convinces veteran filmmaker Jørgen Leth to create five remakes of his 1967 short The Perfect Human. Calling himself the Obstructor, von Trier orders Leth to make his films in various parts of the world with extremely specific demands. For instance, the first film must be shot in Cuba with no set with only 12 frames per shot. The five remakes-within-the-film are "The Perfect Human: Bombay," "The Perfect Human: Brussels," "The Perfect Human: Cartoon," "The Perfect Human: Cuba," and "The Perfect Human: Avedøre, Denmark." Each has its own set of ridiculous limitations created by von Trier. The Five Obstructions was shown at the Sundance Film Festival as part of a special screening. Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
Features
- Genre: Film + TV + Radio
- Category: Biography, Media Studies
- Theme: Filmmaking
- Release Date: October 05, 2004
- Studio: Koch Lorber Films
- Lead Actors: Jørgen Leth, Jacqueline Arenal, Daniel Hernández Rodríguez, Patrick Bauchau
- Supporting Actors: Pascal Perez, Meschell Perez, Anders Hove, Marie Dejaer, Stina Ekblad, Melanie Munt, Charlotte Sieling, Burt Christensen, Vivian Rosa, Alexandra Van Der Noot, Claus Nissen, Maiken Algren
- Director: Jørgen Leth, Lars von Trier
- Picture Format: Widescreen
- Run Time: 1 hr 30 min
- Language: English, French, Spanish
- Subtitle Language: English
- Format: DVD
Additional Information
- DPCI: 246-00-8469
- ASIN: B002ICUEPO
- Catalog #: 11345560
- Item can not be gift wrapped.
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- You may return this item to any Target store.Opens in New Window
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- Estimated Ship Dimensions : 7.58 inches length x 5.5 inches width x 0.58 inches height
- Estimated Ship Weight: 0.28 pound.
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Expert Reviews
A truly unclassifiable film from one of cinema's most unpredictable talents, The Five Obstructions is actually one of Danish director Lars von Trier's milder provocations. The movie's launching point is The Perfect Human, a 1967 short by veteran director Jørgen Leth. Von Trier instructs Leth to remake the movie several times, each time with a new set of arbitrary restrictions aimed at limiting the director's creativity. The results run the gamut from the bracing ("Perfect Human: Cuba") to the banal ("Perfect Human: Brussels"). Von Trier's exercise offers an intriguing look into the artistic process, particularly how limitation can be an inspirational force. Not surprisingly, "Perfect Human: Brussels" is the worst of Leth's variations, having been made under no restrictions from von Trier. More valuable than The Five Obstructions' meditation on creativity, however, is the unusual insight the movie provides into von Trier himself. Playing the puckish devil throughout, he reveals himself to be as manipulative and sadistic as his punishing movies tip him to be. Just as Leth puts man under a microscope in his chilly original, so does von Trier subject his idol Leth to withering scrutiny. By the end, he concedes that he has failed to break down Leth -- that it is Leth, in fact, who has obstructed him. If there is such a thing as a lacerating tribute, this is it. Elbert Ventura, All Movie Guide
