The creation of the idea behind “The Five Obstructions” can be followed in the initial correspondence between the two directors in 2000:
 
–––– Oprindelig meddelelse ––––
Fra: jorgen leth
Sendt: 28. november 2000 15:58
Til: Lars Von Trier
Emne: SV: The Five Obstructions / benspænd

Lars Von Trier wrote:

Dear Jørgen,

The challenge/The Film you are supposed to make/solve is called: “The five obstructions”.

As a starting point I would like you to show me a 10 minutes film, you have made - “The Perfect Human”.

We will watch the movie together and talk about it – then I will set up limitations, commands or prohibitions, which means you have to do the film all over again. This we will do five times – of this the title. I would find it natural if our conversations became a part of the final movie – with the six small films, of course. I hope you’re happy with the assignment. Maybe the subject for the first movie should be something we came to an agreement about? Of course we would have the most fun if the subject is of a character that gives us as big a difference as possible between film one and six?.

Let me know how you feel about this. Please write.

Best regards
Lars

Re: The Five obstructions

Dear Lars,

I find the assignment tempting. I can see an interesting development between film one and six, the route around the obstacles, the conversations, I’m sure we’ll get a lot out of this. It is exciting. I look forward to your obstructions.

I really like the idea about having to change, adjust, and reduce according to given conditions in the process.

Best regards
Jørgen

The first Obstructions meeting between Lars von Trier and Jørgen Leth took place in April 2001 and unfolded in a most intriguing way. Lars presented the first obstructions and Jørgen was challenged – to say the least. Jørgen says:

”Between Lars and me I can say there is sympathy and professional respect, but also both of us have an appreciation of play, and experiment, and teasing. We share a fascination with getting into the bone of filmmaking. Down to basic elements, simplicity of image and sound. For instance, working in an empty space, in which you put words, bodies, movements, gestures – in observing what´s happening. Playing the naive anthropologist who knows nothing about life is my favorite role.

So we are entering a game – but not a sweet children´s game. It will be full of traps and vicious turns… Lars claims he ha s seen “The Perfect Human” more than 30 times. Well, thats flattering. But now he wants me to deconstruct it (to use a word that Woody Allen used).

I accept the challenge.

Obstruction is a word from the football terminology. I once made a film about the great Danish football player Michael Laudrup. He was a virtuoso with lots of unpredictable moves. He attracted obstructions, he invited tough play, and elegantly always avoided to fall or to get injured. Michael Laudrup will be myrole model. I will invite Lars to put in all his dirty tricks and ways to make life difficult for me …”

This film will develop from a project having Jørgen Leth’s fingerprints on it, into a film carrying fingerprints clearly identifiable as Lars von Trier’s.

Shooting began in Cuba in November 2001.

• Return to The Five Obstructions film info page.