The Five Obstructions is a 2003Danishdocumentary film directed byLars von Trier andJørgen Leth. The film is conceived as a documentary, but incorporates lengthy sections ofexperimental films produced by the filmmakers.[1] The premise is that von Trier has created a challenge for his friend and mentor, Jørgen Leth, another renowned filmmaker.[2] Lars von Trier's favorite film is Leth'sThe Perfect Human, and von Trier gives Leth the task ofremakingThe Perfect Human five times, each time with a different "obstruction" (or obstacle) imposed by von Trier.[3]
It has been said that "Both this film andDogville show a more mature von Trier, one who is more aware of and accountable to the full implications of the torture, suffering and victimization he has employed in his films, especially in exploring how easily those who victimize others in the name of righteousness become victims [of] their own self-righteousness."[4]
12 frames, answers, cuba, no set: Leth must remake the film inCuba,[5] with no set, and with no shot lasting longer than twelve frames, and he must answer the questions posed in the original film; Leth successfully completes this task.[6][7]
A miserable place, don't show it, Jørgen Leth is the man, the meal: Leth must remake the film in the worst place in the world[5] but not show that place onscreen;[8] additionally, Leth must himself play the role of "the man". The meal must be included,[9] but the woman is not to be included. Leth remakes the film in thered light district of Mumbai,[6] only partially hiding it behind a translucent screen.
Complete freedom or back to Bombay: Because Leth failed to complete the second task perfectly,[10] von Trier punishes him, telling him to either remake the film in any way he chooses,[7] or else to repeat it again with the second obstruction inMumbai. Leth chooses the first option and remakes the film inBrussels, usingsplit-screen effects.[7][11]
Cartoon: Leth must remake the film as acartoon.[5] He does so with the aid ofBob Sabiston, a specialist inrotoscoping, who creates animated versions of shots from the previous films.[6] As such the final product is technically ananimation but not acartoon. Nevertheless, von Trier considers the task to be completed successfully.
Lars von Trier will make the last obstruction, Jørgen Leth will be credited as director, Jørgen Leth will read a text written by Lars von Trier: The fifth obstruction is that von Trier has already made the fifth version, but it must be credited as Leth's, and Leth must read avoice-over narration,[12] ostensibly from his own perspective but in fact one written by von Trier.[7]
In 2010,Variety reported rumors thatLars von Trier,Martin Scorsese, andRobert De Niro planned to work on a remake of Scorsese's filmTaxi Driver with the film made with same restrictions as were used inThe Five Obstructions.[13] In 2014,Taxi Driver screenwriterPaul Schrader said that it was not being made. He said, "It was a terrible idea" and "in Marty's mind, it never was something that should be done."[14]
The Five Obstructions received strongly positive reviews from critics. It holds a 79/100 onMetacritic,[15] andRotten Tomatoes reports 88% approval among 59 critics.[16] It was later voted one of the 30 best films of the 2000s in a poll forSight & Sound.[17]
