| Experts at Play |
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| written by EMerkle |
May 21, 2007 - 9:45 AM PDT |
If you are altogether turned off by plotless, high-concept artistic film, this may be one to avoid, as the short films within are exactly that. For those interested in the philosophy and psychology of filmmaking, this is a real treat.
I had some difficulty interpreting the message of the original version of "The Perfect Human", which is remade repetitively here (though only shown in brief clips). That in no way detracted from my enjoyment of The Five Obstructions.
How much of the filmmaker is present in a film? Is the purpose of a film to affect the audience, or the filmmaker? Is there such a thing as a theme which cannot be exploited? These are some of the questions this film explores.
I found it fascinating to see how Leth responded to each obstacle--in his initial reactions and in the way that he integrated these rules into a whole new vision of "The Perfect Human." Each version is impressively different; the Bombay remake is visually unforgettable and the last obstruction is highly nutritious food for thought.
Von Trier and Leth, whatever their relationship may be like in real life, are quite interesting to watch. Thanks to their intricate work throughout this film, the end result is something both academic and personal. |
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