‘Dune’ Director Denis Villeneuve Breaks Down a Scene | Vanity Fair

In this episode of "Notes on a Scene," 'Dune' director Denis Villeneuve breaks down the scene where Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) is challenged to a test, the Gom Jabbar, to see if his humanity will overcomes his animal impulses. A poisoned needle is held to his neck to incentivize him to complete the test. Denis explains how he built such a tense scene with the layering of an ancient aesthetic and visual effects.

See DUNE in theaters beginning Friday, October 22.



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[madeinbusanjkjm]

The fact that he read Dune when he was 14 and now he directed the movie version as an adult....that's a dream come true.

[zatchbell]

The trippiest thing about this movie to me is the notion that I’m seeing a culture that is incredibly ancient, but also infinitely advanced beyond my wildest imagination. Like ancient Egypt among the stars. Absolute masterpiece.

[grahamvandyke]

I'm putting in a formal request here: If Denis Villeneuve could do this breakdown for the ENTIRE movie I'm sure we would all watch it. What an absolute masterclass in filmmaking.

[samuelthrift]

The way that the Reverend Mother holds the Gom Jabbar reminds me of how a violinist holds their bow. There's something about it that's both elegant and deadly.

[Brt]

"Dune is about the triumph of the human spirit." This guy gets it.

[sherhdt]

‘The Voice’ that he was talking about literally shook the cinema when i was watching it in IMAX

[DurvalLacerda]

Studios and executives should learn that one of the secrets to make a good movie is to hire people who actually cares about it
You can feel Villenueve's love for the book and the universe

[abstractnonsense]

If Denis maintains this level of quality for part 2, it's going to be EPIC. If he stays faithful to the source material, and completes the trilogy, it will be a cult classic for the next 50 years.

[Joncjames]

This man oozes “I know what tf I’m doing” energy. True genius.

[brycesharp]

Dunes fans got super lucky to have this guy directing this movie.

[wahn]

Denis is so humble and self aware. Just saw the movie. It's not a movie, it's a universe that envelopes you. Incredible achievement.

[corruptpixel]

I love how Denis takes the time to give credits to each role like art directors, cinematography and editing, is important to remember people that movies are a team effort and the director is not the person doing everything

[annasaringer]

I love how much credit he gives to every crew member involved, he has such a humble attitude about himself

[romilrh]

Hearing and seeing "The Voice" in IMAX was mind-blowing. I almost walked out of the theater to get Paul that cup of water

[joe-de-vvre]

"It's closer to a period movie than a sci-fi" YES! Thats what made this movie so epic. It's closer to a Tolstoy period piece with warring clans rather than a flashy sci fi. Love this film so much.

[DavidLashin]

The sound engineers have done something seemingly impossible in this movie, especially with regards to the voice. It hits you in the chest and you feel it throughout your whole body. It is this deep multi layered bass, but at the same time has this vacuum like quality that pulls and pushes you at the same time which can only be truly experienced in the cinema. It’s like getting hit with a giant wave that pulls you under and out to sea. Truly a masterpiece.

[dee-vee]

I would pay to see Denis explain deeply EVERY scene of the movie.

[amatthew]

"We always went back to the book, it was like the bible"

That, that is rare in a director. Villeneuve is completely dedicated to telling the story of the source material, his talent and genius get him there, but it's all in the spirit of Frank Herbert's Dune.

[thomasley]

After Jackson and The Lord of the Rings we cannot appreciate enough the fact that we again got someone who so deeply appreciates and understands the source material creating the movie adaption. We have truly been lucky.

[Schizm]

Denis Villeneuve and Christopher Nolan - I'm sooo glad that these guys are still making big, ambitious blockbusters.