Indeed, it seems like science fiction movies are able to produce themselves, or so it appears when we look at the regular nominations lists for the Academy Awards.
It’s worth noting that among this year’s Oscar nominees for Best Director, there’s a significant absence – Denis Villeneuve. This omission seems quite striking to me.
Part Two is nominated for Best Picture, it seems that its presence is more about catering to a broader audience rather than having a real chance to win in the main categories during the awards show. (Hint: Think Black Panther.)
In examining the list of those nominated for Best Director, it’s clear that there’s a compelling case to be made that the Oscars may continue to undervalue certain genres, often overlooking the crucial contributions of directors in creating outstanding works of cinematic art, regardless of their genre classifications on IMDb.
To be honest, it’s quite refreshing to see Coralie Fargeat gaining recognition, given how horror movies are frequently pigeonholed as lightweight films not often taken seriously, especially when compared to sci-fi genres (the absence of any other ‘horror’ titles in the list is telling). However, beyond Madame Fargeat, the rest of the nominees seem rather expected.
Real-life inspired dramas with a touch of music, these films are not always the ones garnering attention, but it’s the skillful filmmakers who craft them that truly deserve recognition for their artistic efforts.
Denis Villeneuve stands out as the epitome of excellence in science fiction filmmaking. His work, such as Blade Runner 2049 and Dunes, consistently combines breathtaking visuals with compelling narratives. However, his only recognition so far has been for Arrival, a film that, though it involves extraterrestrial themes, is more of a psychological drama than a traditional space-battles-and-planet-hopping sci-fi.
It’s not surprising that the intricacies of his work on Dune: Part Two, as well as its predecessor, have been overshadowed. Instead of focusing solely on dialogue in confined spaces, there are epic space battles, interplanetary travel, Fremen riding sandworms, and a spectral figure like Austin Butler longing for his adversary’s weapon to break and crumble. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean it’s undeserving of acclaim.
Indeed, isn’t it plausible that Denis Villeneuve’s accomplishment in those two films – transforming a complex, seemingly unadaptable novel into compelling cinema that garnered acclaim not just from critics but also from paying audiences – is as remarkable, if not more so, than many straightforward dramas on the list?
It’s clear that A Complete Unknown is a well-made movie, even though director James Mangold didn’t get much acclaim for his work on Logan – a superhero story – it’s challenging to justify giving such a prominent spotlight to the filmmaker when the film itself follows typical biopic patterns.
Compared to Dune: Part Two, the difference in quality is evident. The sequel concludes (for now) an emotionally charged story of revenge, filled with tension and raw emotion as you’d find in a gripping drama. At the same time, it delivers breathtaking visuals that showcase the true potential of cinematic spectacle.
Over nearly three hours, viewers are metaphorically transported to unfamiliar realms that appear authentic and inhabited, even given the grandeur of the presentation.
In authentic deserts, using genuine costumes and sandworms (which may require verification), Villeneuve created a masterpiece that only a select few – if any at all – could achieve. It’s hard to fathom that he won’t even be nominated for this, let alone receive his own golden statuette, considering the caliber of his work.
Certainly, it’s important to note that while the director plays a crucial role, they are not solely responsible for the creation of a film like Dune: Part Two. This production has garnered numerous nominations across various categories.
Essentially, this endeavor represents Denis Villeneuve’s lifelong passion, a vision he harbored since the onset of his professional journey, which he tirelessly worked to bring to fruition with the assistance of his burgeoning industry standing.
The on-screen adaptation of Frank Herbert’s work is based on a unique vision, which belongs to this individual. This vision masterfully blends the distinctive stylistic and narrative idiosyncrasies that have earned him the prestigious ‘auteur’ label, while also including exhilarating scenes that contributed to its staggering $700m global box office success.
Just because it also has ornithopters and the Bene Gesserit, doesn’t make that null and void.
However, it seems the Academy still holds a different perspective on this matter. Notably, the Best Director award has been given to science fiction directors merely on one occasion – for “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” a film that deviates significantly from typical sci-fi entries.
In Dune: Part Two, the team had an opportunity to acknowledge and honor the talented directors in the hard science fiction genre appropriately.
Sadly, they went and Harkonnened it.
Dune: Part Two is now available to buy or rent from Prime Video, iTunes, Microsoft Store.
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2025-01-24 15:04