The Five Obstructions (2003) De fem benspænd (original title)

Writers:

Jørgen Leth (script) (2 segments)
Asger Leth (script) (2 segments)
(more)

Release Date:

7 November 2003 (UK)

Genre:

Documentary

Plot:

About a filmmaker not only revisiting, but also recreating (not in a conventional sense) one of his first films, The Perfect Human / Det perfekte menneske (1967)

Plot Keywords:

Director | Part Animation | India | Filmmaking | Remake

Awards:

1 win & 2 nominations

Cast

Claus Nissen	...	The Perfect Man - from 'Det perfekte menneske' 1967 (archive footage)
Majken Algren Nielsen	...	The Perfect Woman, from 'Det perfekte menneske' 1967) (archive footage) (as Maiken Algren)
Daniel Hernandez Rodriguez	...	The Perfect Man (segment "Obstruction #1 - The Perfect Human: Cuba")
Jacqueline Arenal	...	The Perfect Woman (segment "Obstruction #1 - The Perfect Human: Cuba")
Vivian Rosa
Jørgen Leth	...	Voice-over (from "Det perfekte menneske" 1967) / Himself - Director (segments "The Conversations") / Voice-over (segment "The Perfect Human: Cuba," segment "The Perfect Human: Bombay," segment "The Perfect Human: Cartoon") / Himself -The Perfect Man - Voice-over (segment "The Perfect Human: Avedøre, Denmark") (also archive footage)
Patrick Bauchau	...	The Perfect Man / Voice-over (segment "The Perfect Human: Brunelles Brussels") / Speaker (segment "Obstruction #4 - The Perfect Human: Cartoon")
Alexandra Vandernoot	...	The Perfect Woman (segment "The Perfect Human: Brunelles Brussels")
Marie Dejaer	...	Maid (segment "The Perfect Human: Brunelles Brussels")
Pascal Perez	...	Couple (Man) (segment "The Perfect Human: Brunelles Brussels")
Meschell Perez	...	Couple (Woman) (segment "The Perfect Human: BrunellesBrussels")
Bent Christensen	...	Gangster (from "Det gode og det onde" 1975) (segment "The Perfect Human: Cartoon" (archive footage)
Anders Hove	...	Naked Man (from "Notater om kærligheden" 1989) ( fsegment "The Perfect Human: Cartoon" (archive footage)
Charlotte Sieling	...	Naked Woman (from "Notater om kærligheden" 1989) ( segment "The Perfect Human: Cartoon" (archive footage)
Jan Nowicki	...	Man with Jacket (from "Notater om kærligheden" 1989) ( segment "Obstruction #4 - The Perfect Human (archive footage)
Stina Ekblad	...	Woman with Money (from "Notater om kærligheden" 1989) (segment "The Perfect Human (archive footage)
Lars von Trier	...	Himself / Obstructor (segment "The Conversations")
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Bob Sabiston	...	Himself (segment "The Perfect Human: Cartoon") (uncredited)

Directed by
Jørgen Leth		(segment "The Perfect Human: Avedøre, Denmark") (uncredited) (segment "The Perfect Human: Bombay") (uncredited) (segment "The Perfect Human: Brunelles Brussels") (uncredited) (segment "The Perfect Human: Cartoon") (uncredited) (segment "The Perfect Human: Cuba") (uncredited)
Lars von Trier		(segment "The Perfect Human: Avedøre, Denmark") (uncredited)

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Sophie Destin		poem "La Femme" (segment "The Perfect Human: Brussels")
Asger Leth		script (segment "The Perfect Human: Brunelles Brussels") (segment "The Perfect Human: Cartoon)
Jørgen Leth		script (segment "The Perfect Human: Brunelles Brussels") (segment "The Perfect Human: Cartoon")
Jørgen Leth		segment "The Perfect Human: Bombay" (uncredited)
Jørgen Leth		segment "The Perfect Human: Cuba" (uncredited)
Lars von Trier		idea (uncredited)
Lars von Trier		script (segment "The Perfect Human: Avedøre, Denmark")

Produced by
Marianne Christensen	....	line producer
Carsten Holst	....	producer
Peter Aalbæk Jensen	....	executive producer
Nicole Mora	....	co-executive producer
Gerald Morin	....	co-executive producer
Marc-Henri Wajnberg	....	co-executive producer
Marc-Henri Wajnberg	....	delegate producer (segment "The Perfect Human: Bruelles Brussels") (segment "The Perfect Human: Cartoon")
Vibeke Windeløv	....	executive producer

Cinematography by
Dan Holmberg		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Morten Højbjerg
Camilla Skousen

Makeup Department
Magdalena Coamano	....	makeup artist (segment "The Perfect Human: Cuba")
Juan Pacífico	....	hair stylist (segment "The Perfect Human: Brunelles Brussels")
Lisa Schonker	....	makeup artist (segment "The Perfect Human: Brunelles Brussels")

Production Management
Anne Katrine Andersen	....	post-production manager
Amrit Gangar	....	production manager (segment "The Perfect Human: Bombay")
Magdalena García	....	production manager (segment "The Perfect Human: Cuba")
Mette Høst Hansen	....	post-production manager
Tom Heene	....	production manager (segment "The Perfect Human: Brunelles Brussels")
Pia Nielsen	....	post-production supervisor

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Asger Leth	....	first assistant director
Asger Leth	....	second unit director

Art Department
Michel Vinck	....	props researcher: Amalgames (segment "The Perfect Human: Brunelles Brussels")

Sound Department
Martin Saabye Andersen	....	sound engineer (segment "The Perfect Human: Cuba")
Morten Bøttzauw	....	sound engineer (segments "The Conversations")
Jens de Place Bjørn	....	sound engineer (segment "The Conversations")
Paul Heymans	....	sound engineer (segment "The Perfect Human: Brunelles Brussels") (segment "The Perfect Human: Cartoon")
Jan Juhler	....	sound engineer (segment "The Perfect Human: Bombay")
Tom Koester	....	sound engineer (segment "The Perfect Human: Cartoon")
Kasper Munck-Hansen	....	sound engineer (segment "The Conversations") (as Kasper Munck Hansen)
Hans Møller	....	sound design: Mainstream ApS

Camera and Electrical Department
Jakob Bonfils	....	photographer: third unit (segments "The Conversations")
Manuel Dacosse	....	assistant to director of photography (segment "The Perfect Human: Brunelles Brussels")
Kim Hattesen	....	photographer: third unit (segments "The Conversations")
Asger Leth	....	photographer: second unit
Adam Philp	....	assistant director of photography
Adam Philp	....	second director of photography (segment "The Perfect Human: Brunelles Brussels")
François Zeegers	....	gaffer (segment "The Perfect Human: Brunelles Brussels")

Animation Department
Randy Cole	....	animator (segment "The Perfect Human: Cartoon")
Jennifer Deutrom	....	animator (segment "The Perfect Human: Cartoon") (as Jennifer Drummond)
Holly Fisher	....	animator (segment "The Perfect Human: Cartoon")
Mike Layne	....	animator (segment "The Perfect Human: Cartoon") (as Michael Layne)
Asger Leth	....	cartoon consultant (segment "The Perfect Human: Cartoon")
Katy O'Connor	....	animator (segment "The Perfect Human: Cartoon")
Bob Sabiston	....	animation director (segment "The Perfect Human: Cartoon")
Bob Sabiston	....	animator (segment "The Perfect Human: Cartoon")
Susan Sabiston	....	animator (segment "The Perfect Human: Cartoon")
Patrick Thornton	....	animator (segment "The Perfect Human: Cartoon")

Casting Department
Marianne Christensen	....	casting (segment "The Perfect Human: Cuba")
Magdalena García	....	casting (segment "The Perfect Human: Cuba")

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Elisabeth Houtart	....	stylist: Amalgames (segment "The Perfect Human: Brunelles Brussels") (as Elisabeth Houtard)

Editorial Department
Marlene Billie Andreasen	....	on-line editor: post-production
Thomas Caspersen	....	digital film recordist: post-production
Lars Dela	....	technical consultant: post-production
Daniel Dencik	....	pilot editor: (segment "The Conversations" ) (as Daniel A. Denick)
Christine Ekstrand	....	post-production assistant
Simon Kristiansen	....	avid assistant: post-production
Simon Kristiansen	....	on-line editor: post-production
Lasse Martinussen	....	avid assistant: post-production
Fabien Pascal	....	color timer: post-production, Eclair Laboratories
Thomas Therchilsen	....	digital color grader: post-production
Anne Katrine Andersen	....	post-production coordinator (uncredited)
Michael Frank Nielsen	....	film color timer (uncredited)

Music Department
Kristian Leth	....	composer: additional music
Mikkel Maltha	....	music consultant: Zentropa Music ApS
Anders Valbro	....	music consultant: Zentropa Music ApS

Transportation Department
José Luis Figueroa	....	production driver (segment "The Perfect Human: Cuba")

Other crew
Suhas Bhiwandkar	....	production coordinator (segment "The Perfect Human: Bombay")
Signe Birket-Smith	....	assistant: producer
Majken Bramstrup	....	production assistant: Zentropa Real
Floyd E. Casper	....	production coordinator (segment "The Perfect Human: Bombay")
Rasmus Christoffersen	....	production assistant: Zentropa Real
Isabelle Corlier	....	production assistant: Wajnbrosse (segment "The Perfect Human: Brunlles Brussels")
Delphine Coterel	....	location manager (segment "The Perfect Human: Brunelles Brussels")
Michel Detry	....	accountant: Bureau Detry
Veronique Durand	....	film laboratory: Eclair Laboratoires, France
Sonja Egemar	....	accountant
Füsun Eriksen	....	public relations: Trust Film Sales ApS
Marie-Aude Goddard	....	production assistant (segment "The Perfect Human: Brunelles Brussels")
Javier Gonzales	....	production coordinator (segment "The Perfect Human: Cuba")
Jesper Grüner	....	production assistant: Zentropa Real
Jens Georg Hansen	....	insurance: Marsh A/S (as Jens-Georg Hansen)
Olivier Heger	....	production insurance (segment "The Perfect Human: Brunelles Brussels")
Anders Jacobsen	....	assistant: line producer (segment "The Perfect Human: Cuba")
Anders Kjærhauge	....	production lawyer: Zentropa Administration ApS
Ann Køj	....	accountant
Stefan Maenen	....	runner (segment "The Perfect Human: Brunelles Brussels")
Melanie Munt	....	body double (segment "The Perfect Human: Brunelles Brussels")
Mairead O'Leary	....	production assistant: Wajnbrosse (segment "The Perfect Human: Brunelles Brussels")
Nina Munch Petersen	....	personal assistant: Carsten Holst
Cecile Piot	....	film laboratory: Eclair Laboratoires, France
Deepak Rao	....	production coordinator (segment "The Perfect Human: Bombay")
Jordan Savel	....	production assistant: Zentropa Real (as Jordan E. Savel)
Thomas Schindel	....	personal assistant: Lars von Trier
Manka Sierakowski	....	production assistant: Wajnbrosse (segment "The Perfect Human: Brunelles Brussels")
Johanne Stainer	....	production coordinator (segment "The Perfect Human: Brunelles Brussels")
Rogier Van Eck	....	production assistant: Wajnbrosse (segment "The Perfect Human: Brunelles Brussels") (as Roger Van Eck)
Ann Vognsen	....	accountant

Production Companies

• Almaz Film Productions S.A.
• Panic Productions
• Wajnbrosse Productions
• Zentropa Real ApS

Distributors

• Trust Film Sales (2003) (worldwide) (all media) (sales)
• Arsenal (2004) (Germany) (theatrical)
• Bir Film (2004) (Turkey) (theatrical)
• Bright Angel Distribution (2004) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• Frenetic Films (2004) (Switzerland) (theatrical)
• Kino Bez Granits (2005) (Russia) (theatrical)
• Nordisk Film Biografdistribution (2003) (Denmark) (theatrical)
• esse&bi cinematografica distribuzione (2004) (Italy) (theatrical)
• Alfa Films (2005) (Argentina) (all media)
• Arsenal (2005) (Germany) (DVD)
• Divisa Home Video (2004) (Spain) (DVD)
• Films sans Frontières (France)
• Koch Lorber Films (2004) (USA) (DVD)
• Koch Lorber Films (2004) (USA) (subtitled)
• Madman Entertainment (2006) (Australia) (all media)
• Madman Entertainment (2006) (New Zealand) (all media)
• Sundance Channel (USA) (TV)
• Total Film Home Entertainment (2005) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• Transeuropa Video Entertainment (TVE) (2005) (Argentina) (DVD)
• Transeuropa Video Entertainment (TVE) (2005) (Argentina) (VHS)
• Wajnbrosse Productions (2012) (Belgium) (all media)

Special Effects

• Gearless ApS (visual effects)

Other Companies

• Bureau Detry  accountant
• Danmarks Radio (DR)  financing
• Det Danske Filminstitut  financing
• EF Rental  equipment
• Flat Black Films  animation produced by (segment "The Perfect Human: Cartoon")
• Klippegangen ApS  post-production facilities
• Mainstream ApS  sound design
• Rekorder ApS  video transfer to 35 mm
• Triangle 7  sound equipment (segment "The Perfect Human: Brunelles Brussels")
• Trust Film Sales  public relations
• Ze Light  light equipment (segment "The Perfect Human: Brunelles Brussels")
• Zentropa Music ApS  music consultants
• Zentrope Administration  production lawyer (as Zentropa Administration)

Also Known As:

"De fem benspænd" - Denmark (original title)

Runtime:

90 min

Country:

Denmark | Switzerland | Belgium | France

Language:

Danish | English | French | Spanish

Color:

Black and White (archive footage) | Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

Norway:A | Singapore:NC-16 | Spain:13 | Switzerland:10 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Vaud) | UK:15 | USA:Unrated | Argentina:13 | Switzerland:16 (canton of Zurich) | Australia:M | Hungary:14

Company:

Almaz Film Productions S.A.

Trivia:

During one of the conversation segments in the documentary Lars von Trier and Jørgen Leth agree that Leth will receive full credit for the fifth and final Obstruction entitled "The Perfect Human: Avedøre, Denmark" despite not directing it, and that Trier will receive none, although he will direct it. This, apparently, is within the rules of the game played out by the two directors during the documentary, and serves as an inside joke.

Movie Connections:

References La Collectionneuse (1967)

A self-examining work of art that is greater than its constituent parts

Many documentaries stand back from their subject, to portray it 'objectively', or else throw themselves into it with a fervour with which they hope to carry along the audience. The Five Obstructions is very different, turning in on itself to examine the creative process of film-making in a self-revelatory way that packs both instructive, artistic merit and emotional punch.

Lars von Trier is one of the founders of the Danish school of film-making (or collective) called Dogme 95. He instituted the idea of fairly arbitrary rules (the so-called 'Ten Commandments') as a possible route to more intrinsic cinema, avoiding the technological excesses and hollowness of Hollywood style movies. While there are similarities with the Dogme approach, Five Obstructions is not a 'Dogme' film: but it looks at the idea of rules as a means of stimulating the creative process.

The starting point is a early film short by Trier's old mentor, Jørgen Leth, called The Perfect Human. It is a seemingly anthropological movie where a human being (a man, switching occasionally to a woman) does various basic actions, walking, dressing, eating, undressing, jumps, dances, and a voice over says how we are going to "see the perfect human being in action". There is the occasional introspective line where the character ponders, "Today, too, I had an experience that I hope I shall understand in a few days' time." We see Trier (who considers himself an expert on very few things in life but Leth is one of them) in conversation with Leth. The latter accepts a challenge from Trier to remake the film five times, but each time with a different set of conditions imposed by Trier – who will then judge how successfully Leth has succeeded in the task. The atmosphere is almost like a PhD student and tutor, yet although Trier obviously holds Leth in very high regard, it is Leth who is undergoing the teaching.

Through successive shoots, Trier makes Leth confront that which he most dislikes. He compares the process to when he is directing an actor, forcing a performance from the actor that the actor didn't know was within them. In the first four takes, we see Leth produce something that is artistically worthy with even the most daunting physical and psychological obstructions, but it is in the final obstruction that Trier produces a cathartic effect, turning the tables so thoroughly on Leth and himself that the result is greater than both of them. Instead of a documentary about a film about how a perfect human being works, it becomes a documentary about how a perfect film maker works.

The ending justifies the rather long and mentally tiring prelude. The overall result is a lasting testament on a particular way of reaching the creative process, and also a documentary testament to Trier's own particular genius. There is no artifice, no hype, only two people of great artistic integrity working together to pull something from their subconscious of lasting greatness.