Jonathan Cane Creative Portfolio
Epistemology. Episteshmology.
Critical Studies II
The Perfect Leader
Spier Contemporary 2010 Winner
Jessica Gregory and Zen Marie
The Perfect Leader is a short film that questions political leadership.
In part, the film is a homage to Jorgen Leth’s The Perfect Human (1967) which is a surreal and (subtly) cynical
look at the idea of a perfect human. The film updates Jorgen Leth’s original and uses it as a vehicle to pose questions
about the cult of the individual that is predominant in contemporary leadership practices. Taking both formal as well as
conceptual cues from this iconic film, The Perfect Leader addresses leadership as an ambiguous and problematic space.
The Perfect Brief
Too much freedom leads to shit design. Creativity loves obstructions.
In the The 5 Obstructions Lars Von Trier provokes Jørgen Leth out of depression. He is to remake Det perfekte menneske over, and over again, but each time with stricter, more annoying obstructions.
Students think they want freedom. Von Trier’s method teaches them the value of un-freedom.
Theme Love
Process Play
Output Pornography
Theme Sickness
Process Collaborate with person over 75 years old
Output Open
Theme The Film Top Gun
Process Use a skill your mother has
Output A calendar