A captivating experiment and one that delivers on all counts. The relationship between the two directors sparks off a challenge instigated by Von Trier for Leth to remake his 1967 short with a variety of obstructions. What then transpires is a glimpse into a creative mind left to re-cycle an old film and the results are fabulous. Easily the best two are the Cuban film and the Miami segment. They are the two with the most restrictions and the two which Leth fears producing the most. He confronts these fears head on and produces two dazzling films. The film explores the nature of creativity, the genesis and the complexity of it. How much can one control in film-making? Von Trier admits he likes to control everything. Leth says that there is always something that you cannot control once you have set up, and that he likes not being in total control. This reveals a man who likes to confront his demons, who likes to be in an uncomfortable place more than he admits. Von Trier wants Leth to make a film that leaves a mark on him, a scar but Leth is beyond this I believe. He turns in films that show just how creative he is. How he is able to remodel the narrative each time in a fresh way. It is Von Trier who ends up with egg on his face although I am inclined to think Von Trier knew exactly what he was doing. This is a consummate filmmaker and having generated this project once more he is the puppet master.
Review of The Five Obstructions
