Dogme 95

The art of filmaking is a very diverse world, as seen from my last three posts. Although there are many films that follow the normal path of special efects, murders, and weaponry, there is another type of film that tries to abstain from these things. These are the Dogme 95 films. These films have a very strict set of rules set out for them to follow as seen on Wikipedia.com. Here is the list of basic rules and guidelines.

Filming 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).
The sound must never be produced apart from the images or vice versa. (Music must not be used unless it occurs within the scene being filmed, i.e., diagetic).
The camera must be a hand-held camera. Any movement or immobility attainable in the hand is permitted. (The film must not take place where the camera is standing; filming must take place where the action 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 final picture must be transferred to the Academy 35mm film, with an aspect ratio of 4:3, that is, not widescreen. (Originally, the requirement was that the film had to be filmed on Academy 35mm film, but the rule was relaxed to allow low-budget productions.)
The director must not be credited.

I think all of these things are very interesting, and that they contrast the normal way of film making very strikingly. Although, not many Dogme films have been made that follow every one of these rules to the T, many have included several of the guidlines in their processes.

In my opinion, I think these films are genius. Too often, we see the same story told over and over again on American theatre screens. Murder, guns, ext, fill the plots of almost every movie that is even interesting at all in this day. These Dogme moveis seek to stay away from those ideas, but still provide a movie experience that is interesting and will draw people in. Because of there off the beaten path approach, these films are not very sucessful like other mainstream movies are. But, I think in theory, these movies are an excellent escape from the over worked, fixed up movies we see in the theatres. I would like to see a Dogme film myself sometime to be able to draw some more conclusions on the differences between these films and other "Normal" Hollywood films.

~DeLiRi0uS~