Gypo Watch a clip from the UK's first - and only - Dogme movie.

Although there have been more than 60 Dogme films produced over the past decade, Jan Dunn's Gypo is the first from the UK. Adhering to Dogme's legendary filmmaking 'Rules Of Chastity' and following in the naturally lit footsteps of features such as Festen, The Idiots, Julien Donkey-Boy and Open Hearts, Gypo is an assured and moving debut.

The film - shot in the Isle of Thanet for £50,000 in a mere 13 days - stars Pauline McLynn, Paul McGann, Rula Lenska, and newcomers Chloe Sirene and Tamzin Dunstone. Proving that the only impoverishment was with the budget, the film cleverly tells one story three times from different characters' perspectives, only revealing the bigger picture at the end of the third tale.

Jan and producer Elaine Wickham admit that Gypo was made purely as a calling card to get bigger-budgeted features off the ground, and it's a ploy that has paid off spectacularly. Gypo has picked up awards and distribution deals across the world and a second feature - Ruby Red, starring Bob Hoskins - is currently in post-production.

In the video Jan and Elaine talk about their brief shoot and the advantages/disadvantages of making a Dogme film.

Gypo is released in UK cinemas on Friday 20th October 2006.

Adrian Hennigan | Published 19 October 06

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