In this episode of "Notes on a Scene," 'Dune' director Denis Villeneuve breaks down the scene where Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) is challenged to a test, the Gom Jabbar, to see if his humanity will overcomes his animal impulses. A poisoned needle is held to his neck to incentivize him to complete the test. Denis explains how he built such a tense scene with the layering of an ancient aesthetic and visual effects.
See DUNE in theaters beginning Friday, October 22.
The way Jessica's recitation of the Litany is intercut with Paul was just perfect. It's my favourite part of the scene. The suggestion that she's almost feeling his pain and then her words match his journey to mastering his own fear in the moment. Jessica's words become Paul's inner voice there. Their connection is so clear but so quietly done. I loved it. I feel like this whole movie is exactly what I dreamed of as a teenager, reading the books for the first time.
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