Tuesday, January 03, 2006

Five Times The Fun

Lars Von Trier's "Five Obstructions": Brilliant? Pointless? Or both?

The film has a simple premise. The guru of "constraints-based cinema", Lars Von Trier, challenges his idol, filmmaker Jorgen Leth, to remake Mr. Leth's 1967 film "The Perfect Human" five times. Each version is dictated by certain obstructions. Examples of obstructions include: no edit may last more than 12 frames, no sets to be used etc.

Amazing idea, I think. I just wish the DVD instructed the viewer to watch Jorgen Leth's original film "The Perfect Human" first. Then this film becomes so much clearer and enjoyable.

(Arun Verma and I discussed constraints a few days ago.)