Watching Response to 《The Five Obstructions》

1. What are the precise rules of each of the obstructions?

①: Leth must remake “The Perfect Human” in Cuba, with no set, and no shot should last more than half a second (12 frames).

②: Leth needs to find the worst place on Earth and shoot the film there, but he must not show this location in the film.

③: Leth is free to remake the film in any way he chooses, but von Trier insists that he should not be too easy on himself.

④: Leth is required to remake the film as a cartoon, an animation.

⑤: Von Trier asks Leth to remake the film with no rules, but in the role of ‘the perfect human’, Leth must play himself.

2. How does Jorgen cope with the obstructions?

Obstruction 1: Leth copes with the rapid-fire editing restriction by creating a rhythm out of the quick shots, turning the short film into visual poetry.

Obstruction 2: Leth chooses the red-light district of Bombay for the location but films in a luxurious room, keeping the harsh realities of the location out of the frame.

Obstruction 3: Leth chooses to remake the film in Brussels, incorporating elements of the previous obstructions and using split-screen effects.

Obstruction 4: Leth collaborates with animator Bob Sabiston to create a blend of animation and live-action, even though he initially expresses a dislike for animation.

Obstruction 5: Leth creates a kind of documentary, incorporating footage from the earlier obstructions and providing a voiceover narration that reflects on the nature of the experiment.

3. What is the effect on the movies he produces?

Each obstruction forces Leth to think about his film in different ways, pushing him to explore new styles and techniques. The resulting films each have their own unique characteristics, bearing Leth’s directorial vision, while significantly diverging from the original “The Perfect Human” in form and content. It is precisely these obstructions that drive Leth to think about and make films from a completely new perspective each time, which ultimately makes the final films distinct yet not deviating from the theme. Therefore, such obstructions have opened up and explored various aspects of the film’s content, concept, and visuals.

4. Other thoughts crossing your mind while watching.

“The Five Obstructions” is a captivating exploration of the creative process and the role of limitations within it. It challenges traditional notions of filmmaking, making the audience question the relationship between the director’s intent and the final product, and emphasizes the significant impact of external limitations on the outcome of the film. The dynamic between von Trier and Leth provides a fascinating study of the mentor-student relationship. This film serves as a testament to the resilience of creativity in the face of constraints, reminding us that art often thrives when challenged. It also conveys that when tackling projects beyond film production, goals can be achieved by shifting perspectives and strategies.