Dune is one of the standout films of this decade. The film is an immaculate adaptation of Frank Herbert’s novel of the same name, and Denis Villeneuve proved his genius once more with this production.
The technical aspects of the film are very intriguing, contributing just as much to the finished product. Ultimately, the results are glorious, from the more obvious features, such as acting and direction, to the more mechanical facets, such as sound production and editing.
Dune and its sequel are as much a visual treat as they are an auditory delight. Moreover, a legendary Jamaican dub reggae artist inspired the team to create some of the most chilling scenes ever seen on a screen.
How a reggae artist inspired the creation of the Voice in Dune
Helmed by Denis Villeneuve, with Timothée Chalamet playing the protagonist, Dune is a masterclass in filmmaking in every way. Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac, Zendaya, and the rest of the cast ably support Chalamet, as the events of the film set him on the path to becoming Maud’dib.
A lot of work went into making the film stay as faithful to the source material as possible. One of the more interesting parts of the book, and subsequently, the film, was the Voice.
Herbert wrote of the Voice as an ability that gave the Bene Gesserit a certain influence over those around them. The sisterhood would often use it in the way a warrior would use a sword, and the film depicted it beautifully.
So how was the Voice created for the film? In a recent interview, Mark Mangini and Theo Green, the sound designers, revealed how they were inspired by a legendary reggae artist called Lee Scratch Perry. They utilized a dub reggae technique that maximizes the impact of the bass.
Mangini and Green went on to elaborate on how Paul Atreides, played by Chalamet, manages to nail the Voice. In a nail-biting scene, Paul and his mother, Jessica, were being herded off to be killed by Harkonnen men. The young Atreides finally got the pitch of the Voice right, and in doing so, he managed to save himself and his mother from certain death.
Sound played an important role in bringing the film to life
As exceptional as the Villeneuve film is, the devil is in the details. Frank Herbert’s book is an epic story, and translating it for the big screen was not an easy feat. The sound designers and Hans Zimmer, the composer, did the unthinkable.
The team stretched the limits of their talents and imagination in every way. Mangini and Green used Rice Krispies to produce the sound of Paul setting his foot on Arrakis, the desert planet, where the sand is laced with spice.
The sound designers helped the composer weave it all together expertly for the film. The composer also made use of the Mongol-Tuvan throat-singing technique to introduce the Sardaukars, the Emperor’s army.
Given the meticulous planning and arrangement, it was hardly surprising when Green and Mangini won the Oscar for Achievement in Sound for their work in the film. Zimmer was not behind either, as he picked up the statuette for his score.
Dune set the benchmark in Hollywood and was the epic movie of the year. Given the success that the film and its sequel have found, fans can only ask for more.
