In 2021, the sci-fi cinema gifted us with the release of Dune by Denis Villeneuve, the first part of the screen adaptation of the novels by Frank Herbert. Dune introduces us to the universe of the House Atreides, a family of noble origins tasked with overseeing the desert planet Arrakis. A harsh homeland and the native land of the spice Melange – a biological drug that extends life and grants infinite physical vigor to those who use it, used to develop precognitive powers and access the genetic memories of their ancestors – Arrakis becomes the epicenter of imposing power struggles. Paul Atreides, portrayed by Timothée Chalamet, emerges as the protagonist, navigating the complex dynamics of this place and unlocking latent powers linked to the substance. Step by step with the story, viewers witness the struggles of the Atreides family against political rivals, including the Harkonnen house, and Paul’s journey in embracing his destiny as a prophesied figure.
“I was trying to be, as a filmmaker, as invisible as possible. I tried my best to keep the poetry of the book, the atmosphere, the colors, the smell, everything that I felt when I read the book”.
Dune goes beyond the simple and classic hero’s journey. Paul quickly discovers he’s ensnared by the rules of the dystopian universe he’s part of, and almost all the dramatic tension of the film arises from this inner struggle. This year, Dune: Part Two is tasked with amplifying the grandeur of its predecessor, with the promise of further character development: the film explores Paul’s journey as he joins the Fremen while on the path of vengeance against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Forced to choose between love and the destiny of his universe, he’ll seek to prevent a terrible future only he can foresee: from political machinations to ecological awareness, from various shades of power to the realization of his own destiny, the film offers a multi-layered narrative that transcends the boundaries of traditional science fiction. As the sands of Arrakis shift and change, the spice, both a metaphorical and literal source of power in the universe of Dune and Dune: Part Two, remains the perfect symbolic representation of nature as a complete and inexhaustible source of wealth, but also as a deadly peril, a source of energy and historical power; a promise and hope for the millennium capable of influencing the destiny of entire civilizations.
“Pure image and sound; that is the power of cinema”.
