What is the Dogme 95 film movement? Rules & Notable Films

Dogme 95 was a filmmaking movement started in 1995 by Danish directors Lars von Trier and Thomas Vinterberg. The movement was initiated to create films based on traditional story, acting, and theme values, stripping away the reliance on technology and special effects that the creators felt were dominating the industry.

As a young adult living in Denmark at the turn of the century, I was significantly impacted by these movies, and I still think they are some of the best movies Denmark has ever produced. If you’re unfamiliar with the Dogme 95 movement, here’s a quick breakdown.

The Vow of Chastity

The core of Dogme 95 is the Vow of Chastity or Dogme 95 Manifesto, a set of ten rules that filmmakers must abide by to ensure their films adhere to the movement’s principles. The intention was to focus the filmmaker’s efforts on the story and the performances rather than on production.

In that sense, the Dogme 95 movement followed in the line of earlier attempts to capture authenticity, such as the French Cinema Varieté and Italian Neorealism.

The rules of the Dogme 95 manifesto, known as the “Vow of Chastity,” are as follows:

1. Shooting must be done on location. Props and sets must not be brought in (if a particular prop is necessary for the story, a location must be chosen where this prop is to be found).
2. Sound must never be produced apart from the images or vice versa. (Music must not be used unless it occurs where the scene is being shot, i.e., the music must be diegetic.)
3. The camera must be hand-held. Any movement or immobility attainable in the hand is permitted. (The film must not occur where the camera is standing on a tripod; shooting must occur where the film takes place.)
4. The film must be in color. Special lighting is not acceptable. (If there is too little light for exposure, the scene must be cut, or a single lamp must be attached to the camera).
5. Optical work and filters are forbidden. (Don’t put anything in front of the lens that changes the look)
6. The film must not contain superficial action. (Murders, weapons, etc. must not occur.)
7. Temporal and geographical alienation are forbidden. (The film takes place here and now.)
8. Genre movies are not acceptable. (So no sci-fi, thriller, horror movies fx)
9. The film format must be Academy 35 mm.
10. The director must not be credited.

Notable Dogme 95 Films

Among the most renowned Dogme 95 films are Thomas Vinterberg’s “The Celebration” (Festen), the first film to be officially certified as a Dogme 95 work, and Lars von Trier’s “The Idiots” (Idioterne). These films and others in the movement received critical acclaim for their raw and honest storytelling. My favorite, though, is Italian for Beginners.

Here is a curated list of what I think are the best Dogme films and what they can teach you as a filmmaker or film student:

The Celebration (Festen – 1998)

A family gathers to celebrate their father’s 60th birthday, unveiling dark secrets. It is a must-watch for its raw emotion and hand-held camera work, teaching the power of minimalism and strong narrative.

The Idiots (Idioterne – 1998)

A group seeks their “inner idiot” to challenge societal norms. It showcases the value of controversial storytelling and improvisation, encouraging filmmakers to explore unconventional methods.

Mifune (Mifunes sidste sang – 1999)

A businessman returns to his rural roots, leading to unexpected relationships. Demonstrates blending of genres and naturalistic performance’s impact, inspiring authenticity in character development.

The King Is Alive (The King Is Alive – 2000)

Stranded in a desert, a group stages a Shakespearean play. The play highlights the essence of creativity under constraints and the human spirit, offering lessons in resourcefulness and adaptive storytelling.

Italian for Beginners (Italiensk for begyndere – 2000)

Lonely hearts in Denmark learn Italian, finding love and solace. It illustrates how simplicity and relatability in storytelling can resonate deeply, urging a focus on human connection.

Julien Donkey-Boy (Julien Donkey-Boy – 1999)

A schizophrenic man struggles with family life. An exploration into experimental narrative and subjective reality encourages boldness in perspective and the depiction of mental illness.

Open Hearts (Elsker dig for evigt – 2002)

An accident intertwines the lives of two families, exploring love and tragedy. Shows the power of emotion-driven storytelling and natural light, teaching the effectiveness of raw, authentic narratives.

The Breadbasket (Brødre – 2004)

The relationship between the two brothers is tested when one is sent to war. Highlights the strength of character-driven stories and moral complexity, inspiring a nuanced approach to themes of loyalty and conflict.

In Your Hands (Forbrydelser – 2004)

A priest and inmate form an unusual bond, questioning faith and freedom. Demonstrates the impact of exploring spiritual and existential themes, urging an introspective approach to character dynamics.

Dogville (Dogville – 2003)

A woman on the run finds refuge in a small town, leading to a grim twist. Though not strictly Dogme 95, it’s inspired by its principles and teaches the power of minimal settings and storytelling innovation.

Impact on Filmmaking

The impact of Dogme 95 on the film industry was significant. It sparked discussions about filmmaking’s nature and purity’s importance in cinematic storytelling.

It challenged directors and screenwriters to rethink their approaches to the art of film. Although the movement officially ended in the early 2000s, its influence can still be seen today in films that prioritize naturalistic techniques and storytelling.

Closing Thoughts

The legacy of Dogme 95 remains a testament to the power of creativity and innovation in filmmaking. While not all filmmakers agreed with its strictures, the movement undeniably shook up the film industry and inspired a new generation of filmmakers to explore the boundaries of their craft.

Dogme 95 showed that impactful cinema doesn’t require lavish budgets or special effects but rather a commitment to authenticity and an emphasis on the human element of storytelling.

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