Still from 'Festen' by Vinterberg
The Dogma 95 manifesto was written in 1995 by film makers and directors Lars von Trier and Tomas Vinterberg.
They aimed to get film-making back to the basics, accessible to anyone without Hollywood budgets.
They wanted to make it as 'real' as possible by removing any post-production effects or gimmicks. Doing this makes the film-maker focus on the actual story and actors' performances, and allows the audience to be more engaged.
Their manifesto, or "Vow of Chastity" states ten rules:
1. 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).
2. 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., diegetic).
3. 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.)
4. 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).
5. Optical work and filters are forbidden.
6. The film must not contain superficial action. (Murders, weapons, etc. must not occur.)
7. Temporal and geographical alienation are forbidden. (That is to say that the film takes place here and now.)
8. Genre movies are not acceptable.
9. 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.)
10. The director must not be credited.
Some cite criticisms and weaknesses to the approach von Trier took - click here, to find out more, get a filmography and link to more websites