The Dune Abides: The Beautiful Execution of Art Direction in Dune, Part I

I will sprinkle in commentary once in a while to discuss movies I love because of their execution of visual art direction. I’m a massive fan of architecture, interior design, and fashion. And I love how those concepts get executed in a movie’s aesthetics and their crucial role in its mood and psyche. The set and costumes can immerse me. I am by no means an expert; I just love this expression, as it becomes jewels I like to revisit again and again.

For this first foray, I will jump on the Dune bandwagon. With Dune Part II coming out today, let’s look at Dune Part I’s beautiful set. I can’t wait to see the visuals in Part II.

Frank Lloyd Wright inspiration in the breakfast room in the House Atreides on Caladan
I’ll forever think of the scary lady with the frightening box in the library of the House Atreides on Caladan.
With its brutalist exteriors and cavernous interiors, the Palace at Arrakeen (the Atreides residence on the planet Arrakis) is a cold, harsh, beautiful fortress.
The halls of the Palace at Arrakeen
The bedroom of Paul Atreides in the Palace at Arrakeen with its deco, Usonian influences.

Dune production designer Patrice Vermette also did the set production for the movie, Arrival, which I also loved. The ship’s interior for Arrival was haunting, serene, and unforgettable. For Dune, I read that Vermette drew upon Mayan and Aztec architectural references, as well as Japanese architecture and influence. For the set’s exterior brutalist architecture, his inspiration was Brazilian Brutalist architecture.

Be still my heart.

So, I’m excited to see Dune, Part II. Sure, there’s the Gen Z wet dream of massive star power led by Zendaya and Timotheé Chalamet. But to me, the real star will be Vermette’s art direction. I will be excited to revisit this jewel again and again.


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One response to “The Dune Abides: The Beautiful Execution of Art Direction in Dune, Part I”

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