The Celebration is a film out of Denmark that will make your world very uncomfortable…but that’s how I like my cinema! Writer/Director Thomas Vinterberg is one of the creators of the Dogma film movement of the mid-90′s (along with Lars Von Trier). When making a Dogma film there are a number of rules you must follow in order to get right down to bare-bones essence of storytelling.

1. Only available and natural lighting may be used.

2. All sound must be recorded on set. (no post foley)

3. All shots must be handheld.

Pulling off a movie with these rules is no simple task. Most movies rely very heavily on lighting the proper shot or adding the proper sounds and music in post. But if you’re shooting Dogma then you have your work cut out for you. The Celebration is a…well…celebration of how this particular film style can be used to enhance the story.

As you know, plot summaries bore me to tears…but here’s the basic basics: Man returns home for his father’s 60th birthday with the entire family. At dinner he delivers a speech that will change the entire dynamic of the family forever. If you want more summary then look it up…cause I ain’t writing no more. It’s best going in knowing as little as possible.  This is truly a dark and incredible film. Do check it out.

Much love

Travis

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