Preamble

Truth be told, I’ve sat on this post for nearly a month. And it’s not for the most obvious reason. By and large, I’m happy with the post that you’re about to read. However, I’ve been reminded of a quote by the Tory Prime Minister, Harold MacMillan. When asked about the greatest challenge for a leader, he replied- “Events, dear boy, events!” From the death of Donald Sutherland to a historic Labour victory in the UK and the recent assassination attempt on Donald Trump, life has felt like a whirlwind to keep up with. Any one of these events could be an entire preamble to reflect on. But for now, it feels like the right time to slow down.

With that said, discussing an image from my favourite film of the year (in the aftermath of its release on home media) seems only fitting for the moment I am in. What’s your favourite shot from Denis Villeneuve’s smash hit science fiction sequel? Let me know in the comments below.

One Great Shot

There’s something altogether haunting about the above image from Dune: Part Two. It’s akin to the flicker of a nightmare or perhaps someone who is in the throws of Charles Bonnet syndrome (an affliction not linked to mental illness whereby one can see illusions that are sometimes in black and white).

But this is not a dreamlike depiction of Paul Atreides. Instead, it’s a terrifying omen for his growing sway over the Fremen people. Having travelled to the South and drunk “The Water of Life”, Paul now seeks a hostile takeover of the Fremen war council. He’s going from someone who accepted and fought for Fremen’s culture (as a humble outsider) to wielding them as a tool for his vengeance.

The stark use of grey and black that gives off an almost monochromatic is also purposeful. It evokes the colour scheme of the Harkonnens, who have a black-and-white view of honour. In fact, the shot could also be interpreted as a mirror image of when Feyd enters the arena. There’s a mythic sweep to both shots that illustrates an underlying family resemblance and basking in the glory that comes from a gathered crowd. This point is amplified when Paul tells his mother, Jessica, in a few prior scenes, “So, this is how we survive by being Harkonnens.”

“The Water of Life” affords the young man a new perspective on his family lineage. Throughout the duology, director and co-screenwriter- Denis Villeneuve has shown the pull of various elements that have shaped Paul. Perhaps the real tragedy of Dune: Part Two is that the more impulsive and cruel aspects of Paul’s heritage are his downfall in becoming a monstrous tyrant that will be feared throughout the Imperium.