Dune (2021), directed by Denis Villeneuve (Blade Runner 2049, Prisoners, Sicario), is a science-fiction film set in a bleak, dystopian future. Villeneuve worked closely with Greig Fraser in capturing Dune's visceral cinematography. Dune is adapted from the 1965 science fiction novel Dune by Frank Herbert. The film was highly-anticipated due to it's talented ensemble of well-known actors and actresses including: Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Oscar Isaacs, Rebecca Ferguson, Jason Mamoa, Josh Brolin, Javier Bardem, Dave Bautista, and Stellan Skarsgård.
The establishing scene is rife with context and introduces a universe of injustice and oppression. House Harkonnen greedily poaches the planet of Arrakis for it's rich abundance of spice, leading them to become "obscenely rich". The societal and cultural divide of the nomadic Fremen tribes and the trained, armoured soldiers of House Harkonnen is immediately apparent; akin to that of native savages pitted against civilized colonialists. Colonialism is a theme that is heavily explored throughout the film.
Dune is composed of a vast array of well-developed characters. We have our main protagonist, Paul Atreides; the young heir of House Atreides, a youthful boy with spirit and vigour for adventure.
Duke Leto Atreides is Paul's brave father, the beloved Ruler of House Atreides, and a resolute man with heart and grit.
Lady Jessica Atreides is Paul's compassionate mother, the loving wife of Duke Leto, and a former member of the pious order, the Bene Jesserit.
Duncan Idaho is Paul's trusted friend, a skilled pilot, and a fierce warrior in hand-to-hand combat.
Gurney Halleck is Paul's stern Weapons Master, a long-time comrade of Duke Leto, and a decorated war veteran.
Dr. Wellington Yueh is Paul's personal physician, and a long-time carer of House Atreides.
Thufir Hawat is the Mentat and Master of Assassins of House Atreides, a highly-skilled strategist, and a steadfast ally of Duke Leto.
Reverend Mother Mohiam, a loyal devotee of the Bene Jesserit, and an austere, old woman who holds total devotion to her secretive matriarchal order.
Baron Vladimir Harkonnen, the Ruler of House Harkonnen, a rotund slug with an insatiable greed for wealth, and a penchant for deceit and treachery.
Glossu Rabban Harkonnen, is the nephew of Baron Harkonnen, an ambitious, power-hungry general with a fervent hatred for House Atreides.
Stilgar, is the honourable leader of the Fremen tribes on Arrakis, a primal survivor who holds reverence for the ancient traditions of his people.
Chani Kynes, a relentless defender of the Fremen people on Arrakis and a dangerous warrior; she has a mysterious tie to Paul that is unanswered as of yet.
The Sardaukar 'Sword of the Emperor' are an elite military force that serve the Padishah Emperor. An army of dsciplined, highly-skilled warriors feared for their ruthlessness, cunning tactics, and their fanatic zeal to the Emperor.
Fraser employs ECU shots with a large aperture and a small f. stop number (as to create a shallow depth of field, drawing attention to the subject in the foreground) of key characters during moments of significance. One such instance, is the ECU shot of Lady Jessica's facial expression when a sister of the Bene Jesserit is called out by the Herald of the Change. Lady Jessica's shocked expression, perfectly centered in the frame, refers to her fear and guilt in teaching Paul (a male, and an adolescent boy nonetheless) 'The Way'; a rebukeable act against the teachings of the matriarchal Bene Jesserit. Before this scene, Lady Jessica is portrayed as a capable, commanding woman, and here we see a crack in her tough exterior.
Another instance where intimately close ECU shots are applied, is the familial interaction between Leto and Paul atop a rocky cliff on Caladan. Paul is dubious on his future position with House Atreides and Leto regales him with tales of his wild youth when he too, doubted his destiny. Leto assumes a firm position on the right-hand side of every shot in this exchange with Paul; perhaps alluding to Leto's unwavering dedication and adamant standing as the Ruler of House Atreides. Comparitively, when Paul is located in the scene, he dances from left to right, as if illustrating his doubtfulness of his place in House Atreides.
The Gom Jabbar scene, in my opinion, is the most intense and gripping scene in the entire film. The Reverend Mother Mohiam assumes absolute control in the Gom Jabbar scene. Her disposition is stoic, her demeanor is stern, her tone is powerful, and her presence is authoritative. Mother Mohiam sends Lady Jessica away and uses the The Voice on Paul, demonstrating the authority a religious sect holds over old houses of aristocracy. Mother Mohiam elucidates how superficial the political might of prestigious leaders can be under the will of the Bene Jesserit. Under the sovereign rule of the Padishah Emperor of House Corrino, piety and zeal are common cultural practices exercised by different groups to glorify his divine rule.
The attack on House Atreides on Arrakis is another pivotal scene that warrants keen attention. The fall of House Atreides is pure chaos, the calmness of night is suddenly disturbed with the cacophony of explosions as the Harkonnen armada descends upon the unprepared Atreides army. Their destruction is swift and violent. The shock factor in this scene is heightened by the efficacy of the Sardaukar's brutal killing techniques as the sheer number of the combined forces outnumber the few Atreides warriors.
Several planets are established in Dune, each with our own different biomes, climates, weather conditions, and natural environments. Caladan, the historical homeworld of House Atreides, is surrounded with verdant rocky mountains, a vast network of rivers, crashing waves, and lush pine forests. Caladan is a benevolent planet and perfectly captures the essence of abundance and comfort through it's rich variety of fruitful flora and it's habitable living conditions. The natural abundance of Caladan mirrors the opulent lifestyle of House Atreides. Caladan is well-known for it's torrential, rainy seasons, which strikes a bold juxtaposition against the arid, dry dunes on Arrakis.
Giedi Prime, the historical homeworld of House Harkonnen, is a cruel, volcanic wasteland which is heavily industrialized. Little photosynthesis occurs on Giedi Prime due to the pollution released by the factories, an apt personification of the self-indulgent House Harkonnen choking on their ambition. Giedi Prime is a chaotic, malevolent planet and a fitting homeworld for the film's despotic villains.
Salusa Secundus, the historical homeworld of the Sardaukar, is a harsh, desolate environment with extreme temperatures, vicious beasts, and unforgiving terrain; an idyllic planet in conditioning the Sardaukar to become fierce and hardened.
Arrakis, the historical homeworld of the Fremen, is a desolate desert planet characterized by endless dunes of sand. Arrakis becomes the epicentre of collonial interest due to it's abundance of spice melange. Spice is a treasured resource commodified by the Imperium, mainly utilised by the Spacing Guild to facilitate safer space travel.
Villenueve accomplishes an impressive feat of directorial talent with a complex tale of political assassinations, colonial power, economic strife, aristocratic houses, mass genocide, diplomatic treaties, and religious zealots. Villeneuve is succinct and concise with his story-telling, providing ample context, throws in symbols and motifs when appropriate, with meaningful dialogue, and powerful performances. The characters are interwoven and intricately connected to one another; their motives, attitudes, and beliefs are made clear. Fraser captures picturesque landscapes, engaging ECUs, silhouetted images, and fantastical moments of beauty and awe.
I keenly await Dune Part 2 in 2023.
By Lucas Barker, BComm Minor in Media Studies, and an avid cinephile. 31/03/22
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