"Dune: Part Two" is setting box office records as the highest-grossing film of 2024. Cinematographer Greig Fraser reveals the secrets behind the monumental appearance of the gigantic sandworms, expansive deserts, and towering structures that dominate the screen throughout the film.
The Secret to Monumentality: The Human Element
According to Fraser, the key to conveying the monumental scale in "Dune: Part Two" lies, perhaps unexpectedly, in the presence of humans.
In the film’s scenes, the endless desert vistas, towering architectural forms, and the massive sandworms crawling across the landscape all appear truly immense on screen. By positioning actors alongside these gigantic sandworms or within the vast desert, the audience can directly perceive the overwhelming scale.
© Warner Bros. | Timothée Chalamet in "Dune: Part Two"
Focusing on the Characters
Fraser does not consider the Dune series to be a visual effects (VFX) film, but rather focuses his cinematography on the characters. Even in scenes featuring the enormous sandworms, what matters most are the characters’ expressions and emotions. His goal is to allow the audience to experience the narrative alongside the characters.
© Warner Bros. | Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) and his mother, Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson), flee from a giant sandworm in "Dune".
For example, in the scenes where characters ride the sandworms, visual effects are certainly employed, but the camera remains closely focused on Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) and the characters watching over him. This approach preserves the subtlety of human drama even amid overwhelming visual spectacle, allowing the audience to experience these moments together with the characters.
A Cinematic Approach Beyond Reliance on Visual Effects
The cinematographic techniques in "Dune: Part Two" emphasize the nuanced emotional movements of the human characters, which are deeply intertwined with the narrative, in order to make landscapes and objects appear even more grandiose on screen.
© Warner Bros. | Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya share a kiss in the vast desert in "Dune: Part Two".
By highlighting the subtle emotions and relationships between characters, the audience is able to experience this grand adventure in the universe on a personal level. This balance elevates "Dune: Part Two" beyond a mere VFX-driven film, transforming it into a work that evokes profound emotion.
Directed by Denis Villeneuve, the highly anticipated sequel follows Paul Atreides, portrayed by Timothée Chalamet, as he embarks on a journey with the Fremen to reclaim their homeland on the desert planet.
We invite you to join this epic adventure. Watching it promises a new and unforgettable experience.
