Dogma is a 1999 comedy film, written and directed by Kevin Smith, who stars in the film along with Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Linda Fiorentino, Alan Rickman, Bud Cort, Salma Hayek, Chris Rock, Jason Lee, Jason Mewes, George Carlin, Janeane Garofalo and Alanis Morissette.
The film is a satire of the Catholic Church and Catholic belief, which caused organized protests and much controversy in many countries, delaying release of the film and leading to at least three death threats against Smith. The film follows two fallen angels, Loki and Bartleby, who attempt to get back into Heaven - however, as God is infalliable their success would prove Him wrong and undo all creation. Thus, the last Scion and two prophets are sent by the Voice of God to stop them.
The film is a satire of the Catholic Church and Catholic belief, which caused organized protests and much controversy in many countries, delaying release of the film and leading to at least three death threats against Smith. The film follows two fallen angels, Loki and Bartleby, who attempt to get back into Heaven - however, as God is infalliable their success would prove Him wrong and undo all creation. Thus, the last Scion and two prophets are sent by the Voice of God to stop them.
THEME
The major theme of the film is about modern people regaining their faith in God, and the danger in faith being confused with dogma. The film also is critical of the usage of religion to justify greed, war, racism, and homophobia. It also states that Heaven is for everyone, not just one religion, and that a person's race, religion, sexuality, and upbringing will not condemn him/her to eternal damnation, as long as s/he is a purehearted, good person.
Disclaimer
The film opens with the following disclaimer:
Disclaimer: 1) a renunciation of any claim to or connection with; 2) disavowal; 3) a statement made to save one's own ass.
Though it'll go without saying ten minutes or so into these proceedings, View Askew would like to state that this film is from start to finish a work of comedic fantasy, not to be taken seriously. To insist that any of what follows is incendiary or inflammatory is to miss our intention and pass judgment; and passing judgment is reserved for God and God alone (this goes for you film critics too... just kidding).
So please before you think about hurting someone over this trifle of a film, remember: even God has a sense of humor. Just look at the Platypus. Thank you and enjoy the show.
P.S. We sincerely apologize to all Platypus enthusiasts out there who are offended by that thoughtless comment about Platypi. We at View Askew respect the noble Platypus, and it is not our intention to slight these stupid creatures in any way. Thank you again and enjoy the show.
QUOTES
Liz: You need to get laid, Bethany Sloane, you need a man, even if only for ten minutes.
Bethany: It has been my experience that the average male is never a man in his whole life, even for ten minutes.
Liz: That sounds a little bit militant. Are you thinking of joining the other side?
Bethany: Couldn't do it. Women are insane.
Liz: Then you need to go back to church and ask God for a third option.
Bethany: I think God is dead.
Liz: The sign of a true Catholic.
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Bethany: Wait, Christ? You knew Christ?
Rufus: Knew him? Shit, nigga owes me 12 bucks!
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Serendipity: You've got that Divine Heritage. Sanctifying things is just one of the fringe benefits.
Bethany: Remind me to try that "Water into Wine" thing at my next party.
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Metatron: So, one day Loki's wiping out all the firstborns of Egypt...
Bethany: Ah, the tenth plague...
Metatron: Tell a person that you're the Metatron and they stare at you blankly; mention something out of a Charlton Heston movie and suddenly everybody's a theology scholar! May I continue uninterrupted?
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Jay: Yo man, tell me something about me.
Rufus: You masturbate more than anyone on the planet!
Jay: Aw, everyone knows that! Tell me something nobody knows!
Rufus: When you do it, you're thinking about guys.
Jay: (to a shocked Silent Bob): ...Dude, not all the time.
Controversy
Although there was no opposition to the film while the actual filming and pre-production was taking place, the following months of post-production and publicity were plagued with controversy over a perceived anti-Christian message in the film.In an interview, Smith said: "You gotta find the line, and then cross it."
Over time, the filmmakers received over 300,000 pieces of hate mail, which Smith posted on his website. Among these were "two-and-a-half" death threats. Smith explained this in his movie An Evening with Kevin Smith: One of the letters was threatening to start with, then became more friendly further on. The Catholic League in particular attacked Disney and Miramax, the original distributors, for being anti-Catholic. The film was originally scheduled to come out in November of 1998, but was pushed back to November of 1999 in the hopes the controversy would die down. When that didn't work, Disney sold the film's distribution rights to Lions Gate Films.
When the film actually came out, Kevin Smith and his friend Bryan Johnson participated in a protest at the Sony Multiplex in Eatontown, New Jersey, carrying a sign which read "Dogma is Dogshit." A news crew captured the incident and broadcast an interview with a disguised Smith on News 12 New Jersey that can be found on Youtube.
When the film actually came out, Kevin Smith and his friend Bryan Johnson participated in a protest at the Sony Multiplex in Eatontown, New Jersey, carrying a sign which read "Dogma is Dogshit." A news crew captured the incident and broadcast an interview with a disguised Smith on News 12 New Jersey that can be found on Youtube.
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