Denmark 's new films
SIFF is bringing a great array of films from Denmark. A while back, we became used to equating Denmark with Dogma films. Of course, there is more to the country's film output than the dogma style. (Like the way the Pacific Northwest made more than Grunge music in the 90's). It just becomes easy to label a place with whatever becomes popular. So, SIFF's spotlight on other films from Denmark besides dogma films, is something to keep an eye on.
My first Danish recommendation at SIFF is "Voksne mennesker" ("Dark Horse") from director Dagur Kari. I cannot help but love this film, with its black and white 'tribute' to New Wave films from the 60's, and reminding me at times of one of my favorite directors, Jim Jarmusch. I also liked the film's humor, and the almost improv feel to many of the scenes. One of those films where good writing and acting combine to make believable characters that you can't help but like, even though they are such losers!
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What are Dogma films? - Established in 1995 as the "Dogme 95" group, several Danish filmmakers put together a set of 10 rules, to be followed in the making of these new films. The basic premise behind Dogma is to produce films without all the trappings of a big budget Hollywood production. Hand-held cameras give a documentary feel to the cinematography. The classic three light set-up established in Hollywood productions is disregarded, and only "available light" is used, either using daylight or the lights already on location.
Dogma films fall into the realm of 'Realism,' a theoretical approach to filmmaking established very early in Cinema history, (which I outlined in a newsletter essay from last year, called 'Realism vs. Formalism'). The clear similarity between Dogma and Realism is that they both approach filmmaking by 'respecting' reality, believing that lights, rigging, color correction, dialogue replacement, several takes on set, etc. would take away from the integrity of the film. By treating the film almost like a documentary, Dogma films are believed by some to be the most 'honest' style of filmmaking.
A very practical aspect of Dogma films is that they are much more cost effective, and filmmakers are able to shoot considerably more scenes by not having to move the cumbersome camera crew and lighting set ups for each shot. This saves time, streamlines the crew, and saves money.
Director Lar von Trier is a most notable Dogma filmmaker, and Denmark's most recognized filmmaker. For more info on Dogma, and for the 10 rules as listed by the Dogme 95 group, follow this link:
http://www.dogme95.dk/the_vow/index.htm
My first Danish recommendation at SIFF is "Voksne mennesker" ("Dark Horse") from director Dagur Kari. I cannot help but love this film, with its black and white 'tribute' to New Wave films from the 60's, and reminding me at times of one of my favorite directors, Jim Jarmusch. I also liked the film's humor, and the almost improv feel to many of the scenes. One of those films where good writing and acting combine to make believable characters that you can't help but like, even though they are such losers!
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What are Dogma films? - Established in 1995 as the "Dogme 95" group, several Danish filmmakers put together a set of 10 rules, to be followed in the making of these new films. The basic premise behind Dogma is to produce films without all the trappings of a big budget Hollywood production. Hand-held cameras give a documentary feel to the cinematography. The classic three light set-up established in Hollywood productions is disregarded, and only "available light" is used, either using daylight or the lights already on location.
Dogma films fall into the realm of 'Realism,' a theoretical approach to filmmaking established very early in Cinema history, (which I outlined in a newsletter essay from last year, called 'Realism vs. Formalism'). The clear similarity between Dogma and Realism is that they both approach filmmaking by 'respecting' reality, believing that lights, rigging, color correction, dialogue replacement, several takes on set, etc. would take away from the integrity of the film. By treating the film almost like a documentary, Dogma films are believed by some to be the most 'honest' style of filmmaking.
A very practical aspect of Dogma films is that they are much more cost effective, and filmmakers are able to shoot considerably more scenes by not having to move the cumbersome camera crew and lighting set ups for each shot. This saves time, streamlines the crew, and saves money.
Director Lar von Trier is a most notable Dogma filmmaker, and Denmark's most recognized filmmaker. For more info on Dogma, and for the 10 rules as listed by the Dogme 95 group, follow this link:
http://www.dogme95.dk/the_vow/index.htm
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