Dogme 95 - The Idiots

Dogme 95 is a film movement started by Danish filmmakers, including Lars Von Tier and Thomas Vinterberg. They announced their manifesto at the Odeon – Theatre de L’Europe in Paris on 20^th of March 1995 during the celebration of 100^th anniversary of the birth of film. They also created ten rules called the "Vow of Chastity" which any director who wants to make a Dogme 95 film should follow. 

Dogme 95 rules. 

The purpose of this movement is to go back to the early days of filmmaking when the film language did not exist yet and to use it as a rescue from the mainstream cinema. It rejects concept of an auteur,  does not allow a use of advanced technology or any other props than the ones found on the location. While looking at the rules process of making Dogme 95 movie may seem like making an armature film with a 35mm camera. Every movie made by following those rules was able to get a certificate which confirms that it is a Dogme 95 film. In case of breaking any rules the filmmaker had to apologise for doing so and in some circumstances the still could get the certificate, because as  Von Trier says: "We all know the 10 commandements, but we can't keep them. You try to live them in the sense that you can sympathise with them. In a sense I think it's okay to have rules"  The last film that received a Dogme 95 certificate was made in 2002 as the creators of the movement realised that films which follow their rules started making a new genre. In 2005 they broke up their movement.

One of the most famous films that received Dogme 95 accreditation was The Idiots made by Lars Von Tier in 1998.  It tells a story of a group of people who pretends to be mentally retarded. It is not a film for everyone as the style, the story and its execution may make the audience feel uncomfortable quite quickly. Lars Von Tier pushes and provokes the audience with showing how “normal” people behave in front of Idiots, “ spassing” but also by showing an orgy. Because of style this film follows, the acting is very important. The technical side has very strict rules about what should not be used or done, so the actors and the story are the main factor that can give this film more value. Von Tier decided not to use well-known actors, even though he could do that after his success with Breaking the Waves. Actors performance is great, they managed the task of acting and often improvising very good, in a way sometimes it feels like they are not actually  acting.

In terms of criticism, people have mixed opinions. Both IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes reviewers who give it negative rating, say that it is disrespectful and way too provocative. They see the sex scene as unnecessary and that is there only for the shock value.  At the same time, people who give it positive reviews see it as challenging the values of society and making the audience think after the viewing. They emphasise the amount of emotions The Idiots made them feel.

The Idiots 

Dogme 95 is an interesting film movement that gives filmmakers a challenge, especially these days, when they so heavily rely on the technology, props, editing, special effects and it is worth to see at least one film made in this style to understand the Danish filmmakers who started it.