Making a place for himself among critically acclaimed directors like Christopher Nolan and Martin Scorsese, Denis Villeneuve has turned himself into an extraordinary icon following his take on Dune. While previously the novels were considered “unadaptable” following David Lynch and Alejandro Jodorowsky’s failed attempts, Villeneuve proved his capabilities with his sequels.
Apart from Dune, Denis Villeneuve also has other acclaimed projects like Arrival, Blade Runner 2049, and more under his belt. But much like most filmmakers, even Villeneuve’s proficiency comes from his appreciation for cinematic brilliance. Naming a few of his favorite films of all time during an interview with BBC Radio 1, the filmmaker held one movie in high regard that he even paid homage to in Dune.
Denis Villeneuve’s Appreciation for Cinematic Gems
Following the release of Dune sequels, starring Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya, French-Canadian director Denis Villeneuve turned into an icon with an extraordinary cinematic vision. Rubbing shoulders with the likes of Christopher Nolan, Paul Thomas Anderson, Martin Scorsese, and more, the director made a name for himself in Hollywood.
But while people are recognising the filmmaker for his recent sci-fi thrillers, Denis Villeneuve also has contemporary sci-fi classics like Arrival and Blade Runner 2049 under his belt. Further, dedicating himself to innovating the art of filmmaking, Villeneuve opened up about the source of his inspiration. Admitting how a major portion of his proficiency comes from iconic movies, Villeneuve noted his favorite films to BBC Radio 1.
Naming Akira Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai, Paul Thomas Anderson’s There Will Be Blood, and David Cronenberg’s Dead Ringers as a few of his all-time favorite movies, Denis Villeneuve noted another movie that he holds in even greater esteem. Calling Francis Ford Coppola’s iconic 1979 war movie Apocalypse Now, as a gem “close to perfection”, Villeneuve noted his appreciation for the film.
Denis Villeneuve Paid Homage to One Movie in Dune
During his interview with BBC Radio 1, Denis Villeneuve admitted how he watched Apocalypse Now the most number of times throughout his life. Having a sheer love and appreciation for the masterpiece, the filmmaker addressed how Coppola’s film was a damning indictment of the atrocities of conflict, flawlessly demonstrating the madness of war, explosion, and death.
“I think probably it’s Apocalypse Now. I saw that movie, I studied that movie. I saw that movie, yeah, a million times… it’s a movie that for me is close to perfection and is deeply inspiring.”
Starring the likes of Martin Sheen, Dennis Hopper, and Harrison Ford, although Francis Ford Coppola’s Apocalypse Now made headlines for reeling with controversies regarding animal rights, the movie ended up being Denis Villeneuve’s inspiration. Having an undying love for the classic, the filmmaker even paid a subtle tribute to the movie in his magnum opus Dune.
Apparently, only eagle-eyed fans of Dune and Apocalypse Now noticed the homage paid to the latter by Denis Villeneuve. According to a scene in the sci-fi film, when Baron Harkonnen takes a dip in a vicious black liquid in a pool, it is set as a direct tribute to the Apocalypse Now scene where Martin Sheen comes out of the lake. The particular scene elucidates a striking parallel between Harkonnen and the unforgettable sequence in the 1979 movie.
While both scenes are eerie, they purposefully draw audience’s attention to the depths of the characters. Shedding light on the haunting scene from Dune that breathes malevolence, Timothée Chalamet told Cinemablend, “I think it was from Apocalypse Now. It was the inspiration for that”. Well, although the scene was terrifying, the tribute was so subtle that most fans might have overlooked the depths of it. Next time when you watch Dune, don’t forget to look for this trivia.
Apocalypse Now is available on Prime Video
Dune is available on Max.
Dune: Part 2 is still in theaters.
