Dogme 95 Movement: Danish Directors Who Conquered the World

Even though Danish cinema comes from a small country, it has attracted worldwide audiences.

Danish directors may not always be at the center stage. However, there have always been some Danish directors who make excellent movies. They may be out of fashion for some time, but they always come back stronger.

The radical movement that undoubtedly put Denmark on the map is Dogme 95. Before we address this movement’s most important directors, first, let’s define the movement.

What Is Dogme 95?

Dogme 95 is a Danish avant-garde and pretty radical moviemaking movement made by now-famous directors Lars von Trier and Thomas Vinterberg. It lasted from 1995 until 2005. They invented the “Vows of Chastity” and “Dogme 95 Manifesto,” which we’ll address a bit later.

In essence, the goal of Trier and Vinterberg was to exclude technology and special effects and focus on traditional film values like acting, theme, and story. Supposedly, it was also a way to make directors as powerful as artists again, as opposed to film studios.

The manifesto of the Dogme 95 movement initially imitated the essay by director François Truffaut titled “Une certaine tendance du cinéma français.” Or it can be said it served as inspiration. It’s logical since Truffaut was also part of a film movement, the famous French New Wave.

Dogme 95 Rules

The Dogme 95 Manifesto or the Dogme 95 Vows of Chastity are a set of rules that Trier and Vinterberg invented. They decided that these ten rules define the movement and must be followed when making Dogme 95 films.

Here are the Vows of Chastity for the Dogme 95 movement. I’ve paraphrased them, but the essence is the same.

Location shooting is a must. Sets and props mustn’t be brought in. Even if something is necessary for the film, a location must be found where the prop exists.

One mustn’t use music unless it occurs where the scene is being shot. You can’t add music later, either there’s music where you’re shooting or there isn’t.

You have to use a hand-held camera. If immobility or movement occurs, it’s permitted.

All movies have to be in color, but you can not use special lighting. If you’re shooting in a location where there’s too little light, the scene has to be cut, or you can use a single lamp on the camera.

Filters and optical work aren’t allowed.

There’s no superficial action. Weapons, murders, etc., aren’t allowed.

Each movie takes place here and now, meaning geographical and temporal estrangement isn’t allowed.

Genre films are forbidden.

The film format for every movie has to be Academy 35 mm.

Last but not least, the director mustn’t be credited.

Undoubtedly challenging rules, which make Trier, Vinterberg, and other Dogme 95 directors exceptional.

Danish and Other Directors of the Dogme 95 Movement

The Yugoslav Black Wave includes only Yugoslavian directors. The Czechoslovak New Wave includes only Czech and Slovak directors. Interestingly, Dogme 95 is one of the rare famous film movements that includes directors of various nationalities.

Let’s begin with the founders, Trier and Vinterberg.

Lars von Trier

Arguably, the most controversial and one of the most famous Danish directors is Lars von Trier. It’s challenging to discover something similar to Lars von Trier movies. His authenticity is too much for some audiences, but he stays true to his craft.

Even though his films are difficult to watch, they certainly offer something profound. Sex and melancholy are some of the themes he often explores.

Thomas Vinterberg

It’s fair to say that he made some of the best Danish movies of all time. Thomas Vinterberg’s movies have traveled a long journey from his Dogme 95 beginnings to his worldwide success.

Themes present in his films include familial conflicts, relationship complexities, emotional traumas, etc. Vinterberg’s movies are also authentic, but they undoubtedly have a larger audience span.

Other Important Dogme 95 Directors

Aside from Vinterberg and Lars, other filmmakers were part of this legendary movement. Here’s a list of some of the most significant Dogme 95 directors:

Jean-Marc Barr
Susanne Bier
Byun Hyuk aka Daniel H. Byun
Søren Kragh-Jacobsen
Harmony Korine
Kristian Levring
Annette K. Olesen
Lone Scherfig
Åke Sandgren
Ole Christian Madsen

Notable Actors and Actresses of Dogme 95 Films

As with any other film movement, Dogme 95 also has some fantastic actors and actresses who made the films even better. Here’s a list of some of the most significant ones:

Paprika Steen
Chloë Sevigny
Miles Anderson
David Bradley
Lee Jung-jae
Nicole Kidman
Jennifer Jason Leigh
Mads Mikkelsen

There are many other fantastic actors and actresses, but these are some of the crucial artists who help the movement become a worldwide phenomenon.

Most Significant Dogme 95 Movies

We’ve come to the essence of the movement: the Dogme 95 films. Here’s a list of some of the most important and successful Dogme 95 movies:

A fun fact is that both founders, Trier and Vinterberg, have ‘confessed’ to breaking the rules a bit. For instance, Trier used background music in “The Idiots” while Vinterberg covered a window for “The Celebration,” meaning he brought a prop.

Nevertheless, they undoubtedly made some of the best Danish films of all time.

Final Thoughts on the Dogme 95 Movement

Dogme 95 is one of the rare, extremely radical and controversial film movements. These directors have broken many cinematic barriers, and some of them continue to do so.

This movement remains significant in Danish cinema, but also for directors across the globe. Vinterberg and Trier are still an inspiration to young filmmakers, especially beginners who don’t have a massive film budget anyway.

If you don’t like radical films, don’t even start watching these movies. If you do, it’s time to begin!