The Five Obstructions (2003)
De fem benspænd (original title)Reference View | Change View
- Unrated
- 1h 30min
- Documentary
- 07 Nov 2003 (UK)
- Movie
Filmmaker Lars Von Trier challenges Jørgen Leth, the filmmaker behind The Perfect Human (1967), to remake his classic short under circumstances of increasing constraint.
Directors:
Writers:
Awards:
- 2 wins & 4 nominations.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Complete, Cast awaiting verification
 |
Claus Nissen | ... |
The Perfect Man - from 'Det perfekte menneske' 1967 (archiveFootage)
|
|
|
Majken Algren Nielsen | ... |
The Perfect Woman, from 'Det perfekte menneske' 1967) (archiveFootage)
(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) / Self - Director (segments "The Conversations") / Voice-over (segment "The Perfect Human: Cuba," segment "The Perfect Human: Bombay," segment "The Perfect Human: Cartoon") / Self -The Perfect Man - Voice-over (segment "The Perfect Human: Avedøre, Denmark")
|
|
| 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" (archiveFootage)
|
|
| Anders Hove | ... |
Naked Man (from "Notater om kærligheden" 1989) ( fsegment "The Perfect Human: Cartoon" (archiveFootage)
|
|
|
|
Charlotte Sieling | ... |
Naked Woman (from "Notater om kærligheden" 1989) ( segment "The Perfect Human: Cartoon" (archiveFootage)
|
| Jan Nowicki | ... |
Man with Jacket (from "Notater om kærligheden" 1989) ( segment "Obstruction #4 - The Perfect Human (archiveFootage)
|
|
| Stina Ekblad | ... |
Woman with Money (from "Notater om kærligheden" 1989) (segment "The Perfect Human (archiveFootage)
|
|
| Lars von Trier | ... |
Self / Obstructor (segment "The Conversations")
|
|
| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
|
|
Bob Sabiston | ... |
Self (segment "The Perfect Human: Cartoon") (uncredited)
|
Directed by
| Jørgen Leth | ... | (segments "The Perfect Human: Avedøre, Denmark", "The Perfect Human: Bombay", "The Perfect Human: Brunelles Brussels", "The Perfect Human: Cartoon", "The Perfect Human: Cuba") (uncredited) |
| Lars von Trier | ... | (segment "The Perfect Human: Avedøre, Denmark") (uncredited) |
Written by
| Sophie Destin | ... | (segment "The Perfect Human: Brussels") (poem "La Femme") |
| Asger Leth | ... | (segment "The Perfect Human: Brunelles Brussels") (script) |
| Asger Leth | ... | (segment "Cartoon") (script) |
| Jørgen Leth | ... | (segment "The Perfect Human: Brunelles Brussels") (script) |
| Jørgen Leth | ... | (segment "The Perfect Human: Cartoon") (script) |
| Jørgen Leth | ... | (segment "The Perfect Human: Bombay") |
| Jørgen Leth | ... | (segment "The Perfect Human: Cuba") |
| Lars von Trier | ... | (idea) |
| Lars von Trier | ... | (segment "The Perfect Human: Avedøre, Denmark") (script) |
Produced by
| Yeslam bin Laden | ... | co-executive producer (uncredited) |
| Marianne Christensen | ... | line producer |
| Carsten Holst | ... | producer |
| Peter Aalbæk Jensen | ... | executive producer |
| Nicole Mora | ... | co-executive producer |
| Gérald Morin | ... | co-executive producer (as Gerald Morin) |
| Marc-Henri Wajnberg | ... | co-executive producer / (segment "The Perfect Human: Bruelles Brussels") delegate producer / (segment "The Perfect Human: Cartoon") delegate producer |
| Vibeke Windeløv | ... | executive producer |
Cinematography by
| Dan Holmberg | ... | director of photography |
Editing by
| Morten Højbjerg | ||
| Camilla Skousen | ||
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 / 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 producer (uncredited) |
| Michael Frank Nielsen | ... | film color timer (uncredited) |
Makeup Department
| Magdalena Coamano | ... | (segment "The Perfect Human: Cuba") makeup artist |
| Juan Pacífico | ... | (segment "The Perfect Human: Brunelles Brussels") hair stylist |
| Lisa Schonker | ... | (segment "The Perfect Human: Brunelles Brussels") makeup artist |
Production Management
| Anne Katrine Andersen | ... | post-production manager |
| Amrit Gangar | ... | (segment "The Perfect Human: Bombay") production manager |
| Magdalena García | ... | (segment "The Perfect Human: Cuba") production manager |
| Mette Høst Hansen | ... | post-production manager |
| Tom Heene | ... | (segment "The Perfect Human: Brunelles Brussels") production manager |
| Pia Nielsen | ... | post-production supervisor |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Asger Leth | ... | first assistant director / second unit director |
Art Department
| Michel Vinck | ... | (segment "The Perfect Human: Brunelles Brussels") props researcher: Amalgames |
Sound Department
| Martin Saabye Andersen | ... | (segment "The Perfect Human: Cuba") sound engineer |
| Morten Bøttzauw | ... | (segment "The Conversations") sound engineer |
| Jens de Place Bjørn | ... | (segment "The Conversations") sound engineer |
| Paul Heymans | ... | (segments "The Perfect Human: Brunelles Brussels", "The Perfect Human: Cartoon") sound engineer |
| Jan Juhler | ... | (segment "The Perfect Human: Bombay") sound engineer |
| Tom Koester | ... | (segment "The Perfect Human: Cartoon") sound engineer |
| Kasper Munck-Hansen | ... | (segment "The Conversations") sound engineer (as Kasper Munck Hansen) |
| Hans Møller | ... | sound design: Mainstream ApS |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Jakob Bonfils | ... | (segment "The Conversations") photographer: third unit |
| Manuel Dacosse | ... | (segment "The Perfect Human: Brunelles Brussels") assistant to director of photography |
| Kim Hattesen | ... | (segment "The Conversations") photographer: third unit |
| Asger Leth | ... | photographer: second unit |
| Adam Morris Philp | ... | assistant director of photography (as Adam Philp) / (segment "The Perfect Human: Brunelles Brussels") second director of photography (as Adam Philp) |
| François Zeegers | ... | (segment "The Perfect Human: Brunelles Brussels") gaffer |
Animation Department
| Randy Cole | ... | (segment "The Perfect Human: Cartoon") animator |
| Jennifer Deutrom | ... | (segment "The Perfect Human: Cartoon") animator (as Jennifer Drummond) |
| Mike Layne | ... | (segment "The Perfect Human: Cartoon") animator (as Michael Layne) |
| Asger Leth | ... | (segment "The Perfect Human: Cartoon") cartoon consultant |
| Katy O'Connor | ... | (segment "The Perfect Human: Cartoon") animator |
| Bob Sabiston | ... | (segment "The Perfect Human: Cartoon") animation director / (segment "The Perfect Human: Cartoon") animator |
| Holly Sabiston | ... | (segment "The Perfect Human: Cartoon") animator (as Holly Fisher) |
| Susan Sabiston | ... | (segment "The Perfect Human: Cartoon") animator |
| Patrick Thornton | ... | (segment "The Perfect Human: Cartoon") animator |
Casting Department
| Marianne Christensen | ... | (segment "The Perfect Human: Cuba") casting |
| Magdalena García | ... | (segment "The Perfect Human: Cuba") casting |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Elisabeth Houtart | ... | (segment "The Perfect Human: Brunelles Brussels") stylist: Amalgames (as Elisabeth Houtard) |
Location Management
| Delphine Coterel | ... | (segment "The Perfect Human: Brunelles Brussels") location manager |
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 | ... | (segment "The Perfect Human: Cuba") production driver |
Additional Crew
| Suhas Bhiwandkar | ... | (segment "The Perfect Human: Bombay") production coordinator |
| Signe Birket-Smith | ... | assistant: producer |
| Majken Bramstrup | ... | production assistant: Zentropa Real |
| Floyd E. Casper | ... | (segment "The Perfect Human: Bombay") production coordinator |
| Rasmus Christoffersen | ... | production assistant: Zentropa Real |
| Isabelle Corlier | ... | (segment "The Perfect Human: Brunlles Brussels") production assistant: Wajnbrosse |
| 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 | ... | (segment "The Perfect Human: Brunelles Brussels") production assistant |
| Javier Gonzales | ... | (segment "The Perfect Human: Cuba") production coordinator |
| Jesper Grüner | ... | production assistant: Zentropa Real |
| Jens Georg Hansen | ... | insurance: Marsh A/S (as Jens-Georg Hansen) |
| Olivier Heger | ... | (segment "The Perfect Human: Brunelles Brussels") production insurance |
| Anders Jacobsen | ... | (segment "The Perfect Human: Cuba") assistant: line producer |
| Anders Kjærhauge | ... | production lawyer: Zentropa Administration ApS |
| Ann Køj | ... | accountant |
| Stefan Maenen | ... | (segment "The Perfect Human: Brunelles Brussels") runner |
| Melanie Munt | ... | (segment "The Perfect Human: Brunelles Brussels") body double |
| Mairead O'Leary | ... | (segment "The Perfect Human: Brunelles Brussels") production assistant: Wajnbrosse |
| Nina Munch Petersen | ... | personal assistant: Carsten Holst |
| Cecile Piot | ... | film laboratory: Eclair Laboratoires, France |
| Deepak Rao | ... | (segment "The Perfect Human: Bombay") production coordinator |
| Jordan Savel | ... | production assistant: Zentropa Real (as Jordan E. Savel) |
| Thomas Schindel | ... | personal assistant: Lars von Trier |
| Manka Sierakowski | ... | (segment "The Perfect Human: Brunelles Brussels") production assistant: Wajnbrosse |
| Johanne Stainer | ... | (segment "The Perfect Human: Brunelles Brussels") production coordinator |
| Rogier Van Eck | ... | (segment "The Perfect Human: Brunelles Brussels") production assistant: Wajnbrosse (as Roger Van Eck) |
| Ann Vognsen | ... | accountant |
Production Companies
Distributors
- TrustNordisk (2003) (World-wide) (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)
- Les Films du Losange (2023) (France) (theatrical) (re-release) (restored version)
- Nordisk Film Biografdistribution (2003) (Denmark) (theatrical)
- esse&bi cinematografica distribuzione (2004) (Italy) (theatrical)
- Alfa Films (2005) (Argentina)
- Arsenal (2005) (Germany) (DVD)
- Divisa Home Video (2004) (Spain) (DVD)
- Films sans Frontières (France)
- Koch Lorber Films (2004) (United States) (DVD)
- Koch Lorber Films (2004) (United States) (subtitled)
- Madman Entertainment (2006) (Australia)
- Madman Entertainment (2006) (New Zealand)
- SundanceTV (United States) (tv) (as Sundance Channel)
- 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)
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 (sound design)
- Rekorder (video transfer to 35 mm)
- Triangle 7 (sound equipment) (segment "The Perfect Human: Brunelles Brussels")
- TrustNordisk (public relations)
- Ze Light (light equipment) (segment "The Perfect Human: Brunelles Brussels")
- Zentropa Music ApS (music consultants)
- Zentrope Administration (production lawyer)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
"The Five Obstructions", a 100 min. Dano-Belgian theatre documentary directed by Lars von Trier and Jørgen Leth. An investigative journey into the phenomenon of "documentary", based on manifestos written by each director. 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), a document on life in Denmark, containing the familiar Leth idiosyncrasies. Written by jordan.savel@filmbyen.com |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | Acclaimed director Lars Von Trier challenges his creative mentor to a diabolical game: Deconstruct cinema, reinvent cinema. Push the limits through torturous obstructions. See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
| Certification |
|
Additional Details
| Also Known As |
|
| Runtime |
|
| Official Sites | |
| Country | |
| Language | |
| Color | |
| Aspect Ratio |
|
| Sound Mix |
Did You Know?
| Trivia | The song played during The Perfect Human: Havana is "Planting the Seed" by David Holmes, which was also used in Ocean's 11 and appears on that movie's soundtrack. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Edited from The Perfect Human (1968). See more » |