Denis Villeneuve, the renowned filmmaker behind the critically acclaimed “Dune: Part Two,” recently made a bold statement about the impact of television on movies. In an interview with The Times of London, Villeneuve expressed his belief that “movies have been corrupted by television.” He attributed this corruption to the dominance of dialogue in films, which he feels is more suited to the theater and television.
Villeneuve explained, “Frankly, I hate dialogue… I remember movies because of a strong image. I’m not interested in dialogue at all. Pure image and sound, that is the power of cinema, but it is something not obvious when you watch movies today. Movies have been corrupted by television.” He further elaborated, stating that in a perfect world, he would create a movie without any dialogue, relying solely on the visual and auditory elements to convey the story.
The filmmaker’s perspective is influenced by his experience working on an HBO limited series adaptation of Jo Nesbo’s novel, “The Son.” Although Villeneuve initially intended to bring the story to life on the small screen, he eventually realized that TV was not the right medium for him. He explained, “the adaptation we’ve made… was far away from my sensibility.”
Villeneuve’s commitment to the power of visuals is evident in his latest masterpiece, “Dune: Part Two.” Critics have hailed the film as visually stunning, solidifying Villeneuve’s reputation as a master storyteller through images. Despite the film’s long runtime, which is a trademark of Villeneuve’s works, he trusted the audience to appreciate the density of the story.
The director split Frank Herbert’s novel, “Dune,” into two films to ensure a faithful and thorough adaptation. Villeneuve’s complete vision for “Dune” spans a remarkable 322 minutes. When asked about the film’s lengthy runtime, Villeneuve confidently stated, “This story’s too dense. I would never make ‘Dune’ as one movie. This was the only way I could succeed.” He also noted a growing trend among the youth audience, who crave substantial and meaningful content in films, even if they are longer in duration.
Although Villeneuve has expressed his desire to create a third installment based on Herbert’s “Dune Messiah,” he emphasized the importance of taking time and not rushing the project. He highlighted the dangers of Hollywood’s focus on release dates over quality, cautioning against prioritizing deadlines over the creative process.
Denis Villeneuve’s thought-provoking insights into the corruption of movies by television and his dedication to the power of images in storytelling have sparked discussions in the film industry. As audiences eagerly anticipate the release of “Dune: Part Two,” Villeneuve’s vision and commitment to cinematic excellence continue to redefine the boundaries of filmmaking.
To read the full interview with Denis Villeneuve, visit F5mag.com.
Source: Variety