Evan Pan on the Five Obstructions

The Five Obstructions poses a profound art experiment of the power of limitations.

1. Shot in Cuba: Leth is required to remake “The Perfect Human” in the slums of Cuba, with the stipulation that there should be no set, the film should be shot in a specific location, and Leth himself should appear in it. This obstruction challenges Leth’s comfort zone and forces him to adapt to a new environment.
2. The Film Must Be Made in the Worst Place in the World: Leth is challenged to remake the film in the worst place imaginable. He chooses the red-light district of Mumbai, India. This obstruction pushes the boundaries of what can be considered a creative or suitable location for filmmaking.
3. Remake as a Cartoon: Leth is required to create an animated version of “The Perfect Human.” This obstruction takes the form of a 12-frame limit and forces Leth to explore a different medium and style of storytelling.
4. The Film Must Be a Pure Disaster: Leth is instructed to create a disastrous film. This obstruction challenges the conventional idea of filmmaking, where directors aim for success and quality. Instead, Leth is encouraged to embrace the opposite.
5. Obstruction of Choice: For the final obstruction, von Trier leaves the choice of the rules to Leth. This allows Leth to reflect on the entire creative process and make his own decisions about how to remake the film.

Throughout the film, we see how Jorgen Leth copes with each obstruction. He faces numerous challenges and is forced to think outside the box, pushing his creative boundaries. The effect on the movies he produces is profound, as each remake becomes a unique and unconventional interpretation of the original film. The obstructions lead to creative experimentation, and the resulting films are a testament to the power of limitations in sparking new ideas and approaches.

While watching “Five Obstructions,” I found myself contemplating the nature of creativity, the role of constraints in artistic expression, and the evolving relationship between a mentor and his student. Additionally, the film raises questions about the malleability of artistic works and the impact of external influences on the creative process.