The Perfect Human (1968)
“Look at him now, look at him all the time.”
- 13 min
- Documentary
7.2/10 (2561 votes)
Where to Watch in
Subscription
Purchase
2.00$
Where to Watch in
Subscription
Purchase
2.00$
Plot
In the vein of films like Life in Denmark, Good and Evil, and Notes on Love, The Perfect Human presents an intriguing anthropological exploration that is both elegant and subtly humorous. Over a span of 22 years, these films whimsically dance around the theme of human nature, with actor Claus Nissen, serving as director Leth's creative doppelgänger in most of them.
In The Perfect Human, Nissen and Maiken Algren find themselves in a stark, white room, furnished only with the bare essentials needed for each scene: a bed, a table, some chairs. The viewer is promised a glimpse into the actions of a 'perfect human being', as narrated by Leth's curious voice-over. We are drawn into a world where the mundane and the peculiar intertwine. The man explores his face with his fingertips, packs a pipe, trims his nails, undresses. Yet, he also engages in odd activities, bouncing as though devoid of gravity, snapping his fingers in an unusual rhythm, dancing with exaggerated gestures to a silent tune.
The film is a visual symphony, orchestrated with utmost clarity. Zoomed shots highlight the body parts of this 'perfect human being', while the vast, luminous emptiness of the room acts as a canvas. A clarinet's mellow notes weave in and out of the stylistically harmonious visuals, enhancing the film's unique auditory landscape. Premiering at the Carlton cinema alongside Jean-Luc Godard's La Chinoise, The Perfect Human offers an immersive viewing experience that oscillates between the ordinary and the extraordinary, leaving viewers pondering the definition of perfection in humanity.
Where to watch The Perfect Human?
The Perfect Human is a documentary movie featuring Jørgen Leth.
The Perfect Human is currently streaming on DocAlliance Films.
It is also possible to buy The Perfect Human on DocAlliance Films.