Dogme 95 is a set of “rules” for filmmaking aimed at taking away the reliance on technology and post-production, and returning the art to a more pure level. Dogme 95 was established by a group of Danish filmmakers including Lars von Trier and Thomas Vinterberg. Films made under the Dogme manifesto must adhere to the following rules of the Dogme “Vow of Chastity”:
Shooting must be done on location. Props and sets must not be bought in. (If a particular prop is necessary for the story, a location must be chosen where this prop is to be found).The sound must never be produced apart from the images and vice versa. (Music must not be used unless it occurs where the scene is being shot).The camera must be hand-held. Any movement or immobility attainable in the hand is permitted. (The film must not take place where the camera is standing; shooting must take place where the film takes place).The film must be in colour. Special lighting is not acceptable. (If there is too little light for exposure, the scene must be cut or a single lamp be attached to the camera).Optical work and filters are forbidden.The film must not contain superficial action. (Murders, weapons, etc must not occur.)Temporal and geographical alienation are forbidden. (That is to say that the film takes place here and now).Genre movies are not acceptable.The film format must be Academy 35mm. (Finishing format)The director must not be credited.Further, the director of a film made under Dogme 95 must adhere to the following oath:
I swear as director to refrain from personal taste! I am no longer an artist. I swear to refrain from creating a “work”, as I regard the instant as more important than the whole. My supreme goal is to force the truth out of my characters and settings. I swear to do so by all the means available and at the cost of any good taste and any aesthetic considerations. Thus I make my Vow of Chastity.
More information can be found at the official Dogme 95 web site.
