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Feature film — 2003

The Five Obstructions (2003)

6.91h 28mDocumentary

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.

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A high-signal pick with 184 votes.

Panic Productions / Wajnbrosse Productions / Almaz Film Productions / Zentropa Entertainments

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Director: Lars von Trier

On screen

Cast & crew

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

Jørgen Leth

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

Lars von Trier as Self / Obstructor (segment "The Conversations")

Lars von Trier

Self / Obstructor (segment "The Conversations")

Claus Nissen as The Perfect Man (from Det perfekte menneske) (archive footage)

Claus Nissen

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

M

Majken Algren Nielsen

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

D

Daniel Hernandez Rodriguez

The Perfect Man (segment "Cuba")

Jacqueline Arenal as The Perfect Woman (segment "Cuba")

Jacqueline Arenal

The Perfect Woman (segment "Cuba")

V

Vivian Rosa

(segment "Cuba")

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

Patrick Bauchau

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

Alexandra Vandernoot as The Perfect Woman (segment "Brussels")

Alexandra Vandernoot

The Perfect Woman (segment "Brussels")

M

Marie Dejaer

Maid (segment "Brussels")

P

Pascal Perez

Couple (Man) (segment "Brussels")

M

Meschell Perez

Couple (Woman) (segment "Brussels")

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