With the highly anticipated sequel to Denis Villeneuve’s epic adaptation of Dune just around the corner, now is the perfect time to dust off your stillsuits and dive into the sands of Arrakis if you haven’t already. Some have already done the deed, as Dune: Part One is storming Netflix’s top ten charts.
Premiering on March 1st, 2024, Dune: Part Two has already garnered rave reviews from early screenings, making it essential viewing for any cinephile worth their spice melange. Directed by the visionary Villeneuve, the first part of Dune has stormed its way onto Netflix’s top ten charts in 14 countries, including the UK, India, and Singapore. However, if you happen to live in the US, you may want to catch it before March dawns on us, as it is one of the several titles departing the streaming platform.
Starring an ensemble cast including Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac, and Zendaya, Villeneuve’s Dune: Part One covers roughly the first half of Frank Herbert’s seminal novel. It focuses on Paul’s journey from his home planet to Arrakis and the initial stages of his transformation into a messiah-like figure known as the Mua’dib.
Dune is set in a distant future where noble houses vie for control of the desert planet Arrakis and its most valuable resource, the spice melange. At its core Dune is the story of Paul Atreides (played by Timothée Chalamet in the 2021 film), a young prince and reluctant messiah navigating political intrigue and ancient prophecy.
Villeneuve, a filmmaker of few words himself, recently expressed his disdain for dialogue, preferring to let the power of imagery speak volumes. In an interview with The Times of London, he boldly stated, “Dialogue is for theatre and television. I don’t remember movies because of a good line. I remember movies because of a strong image.”
However, not everyone shares Villeneuve’s perspective on the importance of dialogue in filmmaking. Actor-director Ethan Hawke, in a viral clip from 2018, emphasised the significance of great writing and the interpretative nature of acting and directing. For Hawke, dialogue is not merely a tool for exposition but a means of engaging with the audience on a deeper level. Speaking at the Film Society of Lincoln Center about the idea that film is a visual medium above all else, Hawke exasperated, “This drives me crazy.”
So, whether you’re a fan of Villeneuve’s minimalist approach or prefer Hawke’s emphasis on the spoken word, there’s no denying the impact of Dune on the cinematic landscape.
You can watch Dune on Netflix and catch the trailer here:
