Even after three decades, writer-director Kevin Smith’s landmark comedy film Dogma has remained vivid in the mind of many a late-’90s moviegoer, despite being hard to find in recent years.
But for Smith himself, a slew of memories came flooding back in the form of a newly rediscovered series of striking set photographs featuring the likes of Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Salma Hayek, Alanis Morissette, Chris Rock and other now-iconic costars from the cult classic, recently on display in New York City and Los Angeles and currently for up for sale to the public.
After recently reclaiming the rights to his landmark comedy film Dogma following a tense years-long standoff with now-disgraced producer Harvey Weinstein, head of the studio that financed the film, Smith — who’s been exhibiting the 1999 film to sold-out crowds around the country since late last year to celebrate its 25th anniversary — recently learned about a treasure trove of primarily black-and-white photographs shot during the film’s production by unit photographer Darren Michaels.
The artful images in DOGMA: A 25th Anniversary Exhibition reveal a cast full of baby-faced future stars and emerging pop cultural touchstones. See some of them here as Smith shares memories of the unforgettable moments exclusively with PEOPLE.
Training Day
Kevin Smith, Courtesy of Morrison Hotel Gallery
“These are set photographs and it’s so nice to see people treat them like high art,” says Smith, reflecting on the caliber of photographer Michaels’ work. Throughout a 35-year career and scores of credits, Michaels has shot on the sets of enduringly popular films including Se7en, Jackie Brown, Charlie’s Angels, Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy and He’s Just Not That Into You.
Silence Is Golden
Kevin Smith, Courtesy of Morrison Hotel Gallery
Even having lived through the production both in front of and behind the camera, Smith (here with Jason Mewes) is struck by just how impactful the visuals feel a quarter-century later, he tells PEOPLE.
Golden Arches
Kevin Smith, Courtesy of Morrison Hotel Gallery
A young Ben Affleck gets to work on set in full costume.
Youthful Glow
Kevin Smith, Courtesy of Morrison Hotel Gallery
Salma Hayek recently marked the film’s anniversary on Instagram, writing in part, “It’s been 25 years since Dogma hit theatres – and what a wild, unforgettable ride it was. Playing Serendipity was a gift I’ll always treasure: a character full of fire, wit, and chaos in the best way.”
She continued, “Grateful to @thatkevinsmith for this one-of-a-kind film, and to my brilliant co-stars – Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Chris Rock, and the irreplaceable Alan Rickman. From yesterday, Dogma is back on the big screen for a limited time… and I still can’t believe I was part of something so bold.”
The Late Great
Kevin Smith, Courtesy of Morrison Hotel Gallery
In addition to the now-famous up-and-comers, Dogma starred some established film legends, including future Harry Potter icon Alan Rickman, who died in 2016.
Holy, Holy
Kevin Smith, Courtesy of Morrison Hotel Gallery
One of Smith’s favorite photos is of the late, legendary George Carlin — the famously profane and religion-mocking standup played a Catholic cardinal — alongside the film’s life-sized, masses-friendly, thumbs-upping corporate logo version of Jesus called the “Buddy Christ.”
The photo already “got snapped up right away on both coasts,” says Smith. “And I get it: even if you didn’t like the movie, or even if you didn’t see the movie, the image of George Carlin standing next to this statue of Jesus pointing at you and f—— winking? You don’t have to be a Kevin Smith fan to want to own that!”
Set Smooch
Kevin Smith, Courtesy of Morrison Hotel Gallery
Chris Rock, here with costar Linda Fiorentino, “lobbied to get the role,” Smith recently said on The Rich Eisen Show. “Chris loved the script, and I loved Chris. He was becoming huge, he was becoming the Chris Rock that the culture knows today. So we were lucky to get him in that moment in time.”
They were also “lucky” to get Fiorentino, Smith said, calling her performance “so damn subtle. She’s the audience’s way in. She really honored our film with this performance.”
Face Forward
Kevin Smith, Courtesy of Morrison Hotel Gallery
“It was delightful, man, to see all these old images [featuring] some of my favorite people on the planet at their absolute youngest,” Smith tells PEOPLE. “You look in the pictures and Matt Damon looks like Matt Damon’s daughter, he’s so young!”
Three of a Kind
Kevin Smith, Courtesy of Morrison Hotel Gallery
“We had a fire cast,” Smith said on the Rich Eisen Show. “It’s an embarrassment of riches.”
Looking Up
Kevin Smith, Courtesy of Morrison Hotel Gallery
The images are so evocative and nostalgic, a plan was devised to put a selection of Dogma photos on exhibit and for sale at the famed Morrison Hotel Gallery’s high-profile outposts, in New York City’s SoHo and in Los Angeles within West Hollywood’s Sunset Marquis Hotel.
Though the public exhibits have concluded, several photographic prints remain available for purchases via the Morrison Hotel Gallery’s website.
