One of my favourite Von Trier films, but don’t make the mistake of thinking it’s better than his fiction. If you want to understand me, watch this movie and you might half get it.
Probably one of the best films about the creative process and it is approached as an art experiment. This movie is playful, inventive and intellectual. Von Trier recruits a Danish filmmaker whose work he respects – Jorgen Leth. Sets him the task of remaking his best short film – The Perfect Human. However, in an experimental programme, which must test, expose and evolve the filmmaker.
In order for Leth to grow, Von Trier plans to turn this process – which is held as more important than the results, into a piece of artistic therapy. (Forcing Leth to face his approach, his persona, his creative habits – and to detach himself from them, a form of Zen perhaps.)
This experiment is approached without a storyboard – a rebellious tack chosen by Von Trier, reflecting back to the French Films of yesteryear, made without a script. A pure form, for liberty and the revolution.
And similar to a form of film which he helped create – the dogme 95 school of filmmaking: They did put forth a set of rules to keep the approach of the maker as simple and barebones – that the story and the drama are the thing.
Von Trier’s idea of fun is sadistic and silly, yet also cerebral. He plans to ruin Leth’s film which both of them love. And he means it. He revels in the idea that destroying this beautiful thing will be cathartic, but also meaningful. Possibly he feels that it is just a thing, we care more about the maker.
Every time he tries, though, Leth won’t let him. Leth can’t let go. He either doesn’t understand or doesn’t believe in what Von Trier is trying to do. You have these two powerful opposing forces – one is trying to destroy, for secret or simply mysterious reasons – like a child God.
The other force is Leth, who likes Von Trier, and thinks that he appreciates what he is trying to do. But every time Von Trier sets out to destroy The Perfect Human, Leth makes another interesting film, foiling Von Trier’s evil plans.
Von Trier creates a calm, homely, luxurious and pleasant atmosphere for Leth to relaxe, while they discuss the next film. This whole time Von Trier is using all he observes, to put together a scheme. Leth relaxes and shares his thoughts with his friend. It is into this false sense of security, this trap – that Leth consistently falls, as the obstructions are fabricated.
Perhaps the more fun part is watching Leth struggle to ruin his film. And to see how he could possibly defeat Von Trier – making another good film, while sticking to the rules.
Leth, as part of the process, must record confession tapes as he struggles to get to grips with the process, the torture, the punishment. These tapings are revealing, interesting, fun to watch from a sadistic voyeur’s point of view.
In one taping, he says, ‘It’s totally destructive. What the Hell does he expect me to do? It’ll be a spastic film.’
It’s really nice that we get glimpses of the actual short film, The Perfect Human in between scenes of this movie.
Almost more fun is seeing the results of the obstructions. More importantly we get to watch pretty much Leth’s entire filmmaking process, (with some of the arduous and mundane cut from the film.) We see his neurotic doubt of self-worth, internal emotional grapplings, his determined serving of the creative process. His totally unpretentious willingness to experiment, yet attempt to make a better film than Von Trier expects.
At their second meeting, Von Trier warns Leth to be careful, not to expose himself emotionally, but it is difficult, they are friends and Leth is feeling confident.
Look at The Perfect Human – a dirty portrait of sensuality and rugged sequences of ordinary life – but seen with a unique eye. As beauty, as segue into the story. The story is deeper – it is about the thoughtful subtext of, and mystery that haunts the narrator.
Five Obstructions is about Jorgen Leth and Lars Von Trier. It is Leth versus Von Trier in a prize fight. I for one hope the current work in progress is successful (already in development) – the next fight: Scorcese vs Von Trier.
And I can’t wait.
Von Trier states in the movie, that his plan is to progress from the perfect to the human.
Partial Spoiler: I really like the cartoon in the final obstruction.
Five Obstructions is almost a sad film, but it is so playful and Leth is a cynic – but very sympathetic as a character. While not over-civilised, (uptight) he is somewhat proper, but in the end he is a nice guy (as far as one can tell from watching the movie.)
4.5 stars
the joy of eating and the folly of thinking 