The Five Obstructions (Danish: De Fem benspænd) is a 2003 film by Lars von Trier and Jørgen Leth. The film centers around a challenge that Lars von Trier has created for his friend and mentor, Jørgen Leth, another filmmaker. von Trier’s favorite film is Leth’s The Perfect Human (1967). von Trier gives Leth the task of remaking The Perfect Human five times, each time with a different ‘obstruction’ (or obstacle) given by von Trier.
The film and Jørgen Leth’s creative response to von Trier’s challenge is inspirational. Leth uses what von Trier had intended as constraints to create a masterful series of short films. What at first appear to be insurmountable limitations are transformed by Leth into creative energy. The Five Obstructions is the ideal prescription for creative professionals who believe their work is over constrained.
