Dune: Prophecy stars Emily Watson and Olivia Williams on avoiding ‘feminine hysteria’

As a seasoned movie enthusiast who has witnessed the evolution of female characters on screen over the past few decades, I wholeheartedly recommend adding “Dune: Prophecy” to your watchlist. The series, with its powerful narrative and stellar performances by Emily Watson and Olivia Williams, is a breath of fresh air in today’s entertainment landscape.


Add Dune: Prophecy to your watchlist

In the new arrival of “Dune: Prophecy” on Sky, actresses Emily Watson and Olivia Williams have expressed their commitment to steer clear of harmful stereotypes within the series, specifically avoiding portrayals of “feminine hysteria”.

In this new series, taking place 10,000 years after Denis Villeneuve’s movies, we focus on the Harkonnen sisters, Valya (Watson) and Tula (Williams). They are instrumental in founding the Bene Gesserit, a powerful Sisterhood of women who acquire extraordinary abilities through rigorous physical and mental training. Throughout the series, these sisters encounter an imminent, life-threatening danger.

In a chilling moment labeled by Watson, Tula motivates the apprentices of the Sisterhood to explore their subconscious and produce whatever image arises in their thoughts. However, as they rapidly sketch, they exhibit clear signs of fear and Tula faces challenges in returning them to their senses.

Williams exclusively shares with RT: “I had extremely intense thoughts regarding the development of that scene, as portraying hysteria in women is a complex and problematic topic, often rooted in a stereotype of female insanity. I was keen to avoid reinforcing this misconception.

Dune: Prophecy stars Emily Watson and Olivia Williams on avoiding ‘feminine hysteria’

“But there are some elements that of the power of these women that is still sort of rooted in misconceptions about women. But women do still have to run power from a sequestered place away from men behind a veil. Still, women cannot come out front and centre and be president.”

She clarifies: “I didn’t want it to become like Arthur Miller’s play ‘The Crucible’, filled with women having fits, seeing the devil, and creating chaos. The term ‘hysteria’ derives from the word for uterus, and I aimed for a stronger, more muscular tone rather than something related to the uterus.

Watson remarks about the collaborative environment on set: “With our extensive years of experience, we’ve learned how to navigate finding our individual spaces and moments amidst the chaos. The rapid pace and constant activity make it crucial to remember that we are all part of the same team. This shared understanding was incredibly powerful.

Dune: Prophecy stars Emily Watson and Olivia Williams on avoiding ‘feminine hysteria’

Watson implies that the central characters in the series hail from deeply troubled pasts, harboring intense emotions such as pain, resentment, and concealing numerous hidden truths.

Dune: Prophecy stars Emily Watson and Olivia Williams on avoiding ‘feminine hysteria’

Williams elaborates: “All concealed by a convenient screen, preventing you from witnessing the actual events. And it’s the potency of being able to act without men’s knowledge, while making them believe you can read their thoughts and detect when they are deceiving, which is an extremely influential tool.

For me, a pivotal instance is when it seems she’s been blessed or chosen by the former leader of the sisterhood, as Valya herself mentions. It adds a sense of profound respect and reverence to her character in my eyes.

“The girl was fragile and wounded, and someone told her, ‘I recognize your strength and uniqueness; you are the chosen one.’ However, such affirmation can be harmful as it might lead her to believe that any action taken is justified, which often results in unfortunate circumstances.

Regarding the danger the Sisterhood is in, Watson clarifies it as a potential catastrophic end to their existence. Essentially, they’re uncertain about what they’re dealing with and the process of understanding could potentially split them apart.

Read More

2024-11-18 15:04