Dune, directed by Denis Villeneuve

Author: Denis Villeneuve. Review by Pete Duckworth.

I came across Frank Herbert’s novel Dune as a student in the mid 1970s. Like many back then, I was looking for an epic world of fantasy and adventure as a ‘next read’ after exhausting all the works of JRR Tolkien. The film in cinemas now is the latest of several adaptations of the now-classic 1965 book, probably the world’s bestselling science fiction novel. Elements of it were clearly the inspiration for several famous sci-fi movies, including Star Wars, Bladerunner and The Matrix.

As restaurants, theatres, music venues and cinemas are reopening, is this worth your Quakerly consideration? Well, French-Canadian director Denis Villeneuve has already had significant sci-fi movie success with Arrival and Bladerunner 2049, both of which were well received. These were thoughtful examples of an often-abused genre. This film takes you on a journey with youthful hero Paul Atreides (played by Timothée Chalamet), from his watery home planet to the desert planet of Arrakis, known as Dune. The universe is controlled by rival aristocratic families known as Houses, under the direction of a manipulative and devious emperor.

Villeneuve does a good job of presenting the key themes of the original book: imperialism, gendered norms, war, industrialisation, hallucinogens, ecological concerns and the use of force to seize natural resources from indigenous people. The book was published just as the USA sent ground troops to Vietnam and it’s likely that Herbert was influenced by that. Sadly, these themes are still relevant today. The depiction of a planet so warm that humans need technology to survive the noonday sun is likely to resonate in the aftermath of COP26, as we as a Quaker community uphold all involved.

The novel presents a positive view of a futuristic version of Islam. In the film, this is not presented in the dialogue but subtly in the visuals and the soundtrack – both of which are exceptional. The word jihad (and other Islamic terms) don’t make it into the script. The film presents a religion that is in tune with the environment and meets people’s needs (though it is hinted that elements of it have been manipulated by the imperialists).

Paul Atreides is faced – as we all are – with how to act morally in a world of deceit, manipulation, violence, climate collapse, unacceptable gender norms and the unrealistic expectations of others. He makes rather unquakerly choices in response, but then he has experience of genetic manipulation and training by a group of sinister nuns (whose leader is played brilliantly in the movie by Charlotte Rampling).

The full consequences of his choices are not presented in this film, but it is visually stunning. The special effects are excellent. The soundtrack is awesome. The film does contain violence, but it is moderate by current standards. Fans of the book may find the ending rather abrupt but a follow-up will complete the adventure. If you are out and about for cultural events I strongly recommend this film to you.

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