5 Obstructions

I think it is a helpful exercise even though Leth had a difficult time but in the end, the challenge of the obstructions probably gave him new perspectives or techniques he could expand on in the future. At first, placing obstructions in general seems to limit a project and its potential but as shown, the artist can find a way out creatively like how Leth uses the screen as the distance Von Trier mentioned. Instead of physically distancing himself, Leth uses the screen as a metaphor to show distance and the setting at the same time. Obstructions can help build an artist.
Flexibility with rules can result in a lot of different interpretations. In the movie, Leth and Von Trier interpreted the screen differently where one thought it successful and the other did not. But since the "rules" are flexible, this adds on to how obstructions helps build an artist by forcing them to think out of the box. Sometimes the box is really open like when Von Trier erases all rules for obstruction 4. That much flexibility can be an obstruction as well because the artist is overwhelmed by all the possibilities so much that they can't focus them into one project. I feel like this "open" obstruction helped Leth form into a more independent artist.

I thought the last one was the worst but that is because it seemed more like a personal message from Von Trier to Leth rather than a real obstruction of "The Perfect Man." As a film by itself, it works well but when tied with the other four, it sticks out like a sore thumb.

The film was definitely inspiring in how Leth used his limits as tools, almost making them disappear as limiters. It makes me think of "rules" and limits as necessary components instead of just annoying requirements.