“I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me...Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.” Frank Herbert, Dune
Denis Villeneuve's version of Dune succeeds when the earlier version helmed by Lynch in the 80s failed by streamlining the storyline into a more coherent narrative. It is also gorgeously shot - a visual feast that captivates and mesmerizes. Frank Herbert's world-making prowess needed the mastery that Villeneuve already exhibited in his previous works. Hans Zimmer's score enhances the visual feast into an auditory cornucopia as well.
While it does speak of other worlds, the sociopolitical, ecological critique is palpably this-worldly, and relevant. Themes of power play, imperialism, subjugation, and oppression and empowerment are brought to the fore. The more esoteric elements of the narrative only underscore the deeper element of existence and life. What drives the story, and dare I say, life - are these hidden and metaphysical facets that are often denied, ignored or made irrelevant. It is interesting the science fiction or speculative fiction is the best vehicle to ponder on the questions of meaning, purpose, relationality, and what goes beyond life.
A few observations:
First The interiority of the story is as important as the gorgeously and visually stunning world presented. The danger is to give more attention to these external details that one forgets the emotional elements. These are the deeper core that drive the narrative especially in narratives where the messianic expectation is at the fulcrum. Hence, while visually and auditorily gorgeous, somehow the emotional and spiritual aspects of the film does not pack a wallop as it should have been. I wished the emotional impact matched the cinematic world. But maybe it is too early in the game to expect these as this is just the first installment of what we would hope to be a series.
Second I would love for the interplay of power, struggle, oppression and spirituality to be elaborated on some more. I have no doubt that these will be given ample attention in the next few installments (here's hoping that the sequels will be green-lighted soon). Frank Herbert clearly had important things to say about religion and kingdoms, and we hope we get the opportunity to discuss it. A snippet: “When religion and politics travel in the same cart, the riders believe nothing can stand in their way. Their movements become headlong - faster and faster and faster. They put aside all thoughts of obstacles and forget the precipice does not show itself to the man in a blind rush until it's too late.”
Anyway, watch it if you have the time and the interest to watch a science fiction movie that is clearly more than that.
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