A Film Manifesto as Life Advice

Dogma (or Dogme) 95 was a manifesto that ruled the approach of several film makers for a few years in the mind-1990s.

This manifesto is for movie-making, but it's remarkably adaptable as relationship advice 

• "Shooting must be done on location. Props and sets must not be brought."
  
  Don’t add/force) things onto a relationship that are not naturally present.
  
  
• "The sound must never be produced apart from the images or vice versa."
  
  Don’t “listen for” something. Be with what you are hearing.
  
  
• "The camera must be hand-held. Any movement or immobility attainable in the hand is permitted."
  
  Stay with the “action” of life instead of taking up a “position.”

 

• "The film must be in color. Special lighting is not acceptable."  
  
  Avoid adding things/words/tone/statements intent on enhancing the value of the moment.
  
  
• "Optical work and filters are forbidden."
  
  Avoid filtering this moment through expectations.
  
  
• "The film must not contain superficial action."
  
  Don't demand that the relationship entertain you.
  
  
• "Temporal and geographical alienation are forbidden." 
  
  Don't bring the past into the relationship except to resolve a disturbance.
  
  
• "Genre movies are not acceptable."
  
  Avoid stereotyping each other.
  
  
• "The film format must be Academy 35 mm."
  
  ​Strive to bring your full self to the relationship.