Denis Villeneuve in February 2024.Photo:Eric Charbonneau/Getty Images
Eric Charbonneau/Getty Images
ADuneset is no place for cell phones or social media, according to directorDenis Villeneuve.
In a new and wide-ranging interview with theLos Angeles Timespublished Thursday, Dec. 26, the filmmaker, 57, explained why cast and crew on his projects are not encouraged to bring certain devices on set.
“Cinema is an act of presence,” the Academy Award-nominated director said. “When a painter paints, he has to be absolutely focused on the color he’s putting on the canvas.”
“It’s the same with the dancer when he does a gesture. With a filmmaker, you have to do that with a crew, and everybody has to focus and be entirely in the present, listening to each other, being in relationship with each other,” he told theLos Angeles Times.
Denis Villeneuve (left) with Javier Bardem (center) and Josh Brolin (right) while filming ‘Dune: Part Two’.Niko Tavernise/Warner Bros. Pictures
Niko Tavernise/Warner Bros. Pictures
Villeneuve added, “So cellphones are banned on my set too, since day one. It’s forbidden. When you say cut, you don’t want someone going to his phone to look at his Facebook account.”
Earlier in the interview, the director shared another reason he’s not so fond of technology at times.
Villeneuve referred to being able to have constant access to others as “addictive.”
“It’s compulsive,” he said. “It’s like a drug. I’m very tempted to disconnect myself. It would be fresh air.”
New York Premiere of Warner Bros. “Dune: Part Two” — February 25, 2024.Eric Charbonneau/Getty Images for Warner Bros.
Eric Charbonneau/Getty Images for Warner Bros.
The first installment of Villeneuve’sDunefilm adaptation of Frank Hubert’s novel arrivedin October 2021, withTimothée Chalamet(Paul Atreides),Zendaya(Chani) andOscar Isaac(Duke Leto Atreides). The second part was released in March 2024.
A-listersAustin Butler(Feyd-Rautha),Florence Pugh(Princess Irulan) andAnya Taylor-Joy(Paul’s unborn sister Alia Atreides) joined forDune: Part Two.
Though fans expressed frustrations in seeing Zendaya, 28, have onlyseven minutes of screentimein the first half, Chalamet, 29, couldn’t have asked for a better costar.
“She was like a breath of fresh air,” theA Complete Unknownstartold PEOPLEin a joint October 2021 interview with the actress. “She had a great energy.”
imothee Chalamet, Zendaya and Austin Butler attend the press conference for “Dune: Part Two” on February 21, 2024 in Seoul, South Korea.Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images
Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images
In October, Villeneuve toldDeadlinehe was in the “writing zone” already for a third film, which would adapt Hubert’sDune: Messiah. However, he does seeDuneandDune: Part Twoas “one entity” and a “finished” movie.
“But yes, like Herbert did withDune:Messiah, I think it’ll be a great idea to do something completely different,” the filmmaker told the outlet. “The story takes place like 12 years after where we left the characters at the end ofPart Two. Their journey, their story is different this time, and that’s why I always say that while it’s the same world it’s a new film with new circumstances.”
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DuneandDune: Part Twoare now streaming on Max.
source: people.com
