Dune Director Denis Villeneuve’s Career Long Quest for Identity

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Күн бұрын

With films like Arrival, Blade Runner 2049 and Dune, Denis Villeneuve is the official go-to director for a heady brand of epic science fiction. And while sci fi trappings have dominated his recent work, a career-long exploration of identity has defined his work to a much greater extent. All of his films have asked fundamental questions about what defines a person, what makes them who they are. Here follows a brief history of Denis Villeneuve and identity.
Before adapting Frank Herbert’s classic novel with Timothee Chalamet, before Harrison Ford reprised one of his most iconic roles as a maybe replicant Rick Deckard, before Amy Adams talked to aliens with Jeremy Renner, before Emily Blunt was swept up in a cartel thriller with Benicio Del Toro and Josh Brolin or Hugh Jackman tortured Paul Dano in Prisoners or Jake Gyllenhaal met his own doppelganger in Enemy, the French Canadian filmmaker studied the impact that trauma, violence, a character’s actions, even cosmic chance has on ones sense of identity. From a mass murderer in Polytechnique, to discovering a mother’s mysterious past in Incendies, to the magical realism of potential parenthood in August 32nd and Maelstrom, Villeneuve constantly explores the boundaries of what makes a person who they are.
This video was written by Siddhant Adlakha, edited by Tom Jorgensen and Clint Gage, with titles designed by Casey Redmon.
For more director deep dives, be sure to subscribe to IGN Movies and TV!
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Пікірлер: 225

@richardstebbins4013 2 жыл бұрын

Man this was a damn good video. Cinefix back must be hurting from carrying IGN so hard.

@Dynasty1818 2 жыл бұрын

Today I realized Denis directed Prisoners, Sicario, Arrival and Blade Runner 2049, some of the best movies of the last 10 years. Seeing Dune tomorrow, can't wait.

@Anttimation 2 жыл бұрын

I'm not interested in the Dune universe but went to see it as I enjoyed many of his films. If you liked his previous work, I'd say the chances are high that you'll like Dune too. Not many interesting big budget filmmakers out there today besides Villeneuve.

@LuisSierra42 2 жыл бұрын

All his body of work is masterful, he is truly one of a kind

@justinld 2 жыл бұрын

Also, all those movies came out within a year of each other!

@VArsovski10 2 жыл бұрын

Directing is pretty damn good but what I felt was even better is the sound, the sound and soundtrack of that movie is a whole new level, even for modern movies The sound was so damn good that the movie partially reminded me even of a modern AAA game

@h.ar.2937 2 жыл бұрын

Although Nolan's movies tend to be a mix of financial and critical success, I personally find Villeneuve's work much more meaningful and impactful

@TheSCIOnce 2 жыл бұрын

This video was put together masterfully.

@LuisSierra42 2 жыл бұрын

It's as if it was put together by Villeneuve himself

@watcher8582 2 жыл бұрын

The transitions between movies was a bit of a meme.

@RusPitman 2 жыл бұрын

Interlinked

@xavierrodrigues4958 2 жыл бұрын

Agreed

@dessfred 2 жыл бұрын

In the early 90's in Québec, there was a tv show called "The Europe-Asia Course" where young people traveled the continent making weekly films about their travel, with a pannel of judges and competition. A lot of french canadians filmmakers and other medias personnalities came out of this competition, including Villeneuve. The show disapeared sadly, but it had a huge impact in making a generation of creators in this canadian province. It had the benefit of putting all these talents at the same place way before the internet.

@flordeloto944 2 жыл бұрын

"Incendies" is for me, one of the best films I've ever seen.

@dejavu2752 2 жыл бұрын

It's absolutely harrowing, the kind of film that's good but you can't watch it twice

@quancro 2 жыл бұрын

that film is so strong in every level..

@talonearley2770 2 жыл бұрын

My favorite film of all time

@RolandsSh 2 жыл бұрын

I absolutely adore Denis Villeneuve and his filmmaking style. I haven't seen Maelstrom or August 32nd On Earth yet, but I have seen everything else. I liked Enemy, the rest of his films I loved with Sicario and Incendies being my 2 favourites. His ability to create visceral emotion is unparalleled. His characters are trying to make sense of the confusing and chaotic setting they have been thrown in, and the viewer is taken along for the ride. The twists in his movies never feel like cheap "aha, gotcha!" moments like they do in, say, M. Night Shyamalans or some of Nolan films, instead it is always more about the effect the twist has on protagonists. Add to that brilliant visual storytelling, beautiful cinematography and excellent sound design. His films might not be for everyone, but they certainly are for me.

@xavierrodrigues4958 2 жыл бұрын

Well said, agreed!

@Tyler_W 2 жыл бұрын

Sadly, I've only seen Dune, Blade Runner 2049, and Arrival all the way through, and then some of his others only in part. The films I mentioned were easily among my favorites in the years they released, and he's definitely one of my favorite currently-working directors. I definitely need to see the rest of his work.

@melchio 2 жыл бұрын

I love Villeneuve's movies! Dune is fucking stunning, first movie i saw in a theater after almost 2 years, and it was absolutely worth it!

@qjames0077 2 жыл бұрын

Interesting how some of the best movie makers of the last decade have started their careers outside of the states and Hollywood system

@DynaStaats 2 жыл бұрын

Having read Dune, this makes a ton of sense for him to direct it, can’t wait to see it now with this perspective of the director in mind! Thank you Cinefix!

@ztru15 2 жыл бұрын

Clint Gage is the GOAT! I miss old Cinefix.

@Neopoete 2 жыл бұрын

I loved this video. The content, the transitions, the rhythm everything's perfectly put together. Great fit for such a great director.

@genevievebeauchamp9018 2 жыл бұрын

So glad Clint was in charge of this analysis. Denis' films would not have been as expertly and carefully explored if any other IGN employee have done this video.

@martingiguere1202 2 жыл бұрын

So glad you took the time to talk about the 1st 2 Villeneuve movies, so often overlooked by anything after Incendies

@kobuseksteen411 Жыл бұрын

How Jake Gyllenhaal doesn't have an Oscar is a mystery. Prisoners and Nightcrawler alone are some of the best acting I've ever seen.

@simonschlegel9094 2 жыл бұрын

Fantastic edit, I really like how you guys blended those films together, it made it seam as if his whole filmography has this one red line connecting it all. Fantastic job!!

@alexcoyg3281 2 жыл бұрын

When K realizes that Joi is an illusion and in reality is nothing, its heartbreaking.

@SusannaSaunders 2 жыл бұрын

I disagree. He realises that she is just as real as he is. From the binary code compared to DNA, from her expression of love to her dying proclamation. Actions are what matters. Actions are the external expression of the persons identity. If Joi is an illusion, then so is K.

@PeloquinDavid 2 жыл бұрын

I kind of agree with both of you: Villeneuve's films are hugely ambiguous and can be read many different ways. What I most love about this scene is that I can see both of the possible interpretations you sketch out and sense that the film is not telling us what to think but challenging us to make up our own minds about how we feel about the various possibilities (often by ruminating about the film for hours and days afterwards and by talking about the film with others who saw it as well).

@MrWhipple42 2 жыл бұрын

The message I got from that heartbreaking scene is that K has realized that his entire relationship with Joi wasn’t a series of choices on her part, down to the “real boy” name she gave him; it was just all programming. At that moment, K decides to take action that is contrary to *his* programming-he has dutifully retired rogue replicants and now decides to save Deckard by retiring a replicant who is not rogue but is only doing what *she* was programmed to do. K’s actions throughout the film are a slowly intensifying series of independent choices he makes. In the end, he chooses to "die for the right cause," as Freysa had encouraged him to.

@alexcoyg3281 2 жыл бұрын

@@MrWhipple42 yes absolutely agree, although she is an illusion, she helps him achieve his own free will of sorts.

@ca20mn 2 жыл бұрын

@@MrWhipple42 I love this

@iviui2d3i2 2 жыл бұрын

For a few years now, when I first laid eyes upon this channel, I was blinded by its majesty. Paralyzed. Dumbstruck. By the time I learned of this channel's intent, there was nothing I could do....😁 Being truly serious now, I need to express that the many levels of depth this channel pulls forth for their audience as an amalgamated expansion of the extent to which the many layers of so many amazing and timeless films, is nothing short of being breathtakingly eye opening; even for those of us who often think we truly, fully understand the themes and intentions creeping within the shadows of these absolute treasures of cinema, I find I am almost always stunned by the work of this channel. I often end up feeling as if I am experiencing the "Big Twist" in a thriller while I'm simply watching a review or analogy of a film I've seen many times over. Additionally, I am so very happy that there have been no obvious contextual changes to the channels format since the partnership with IGN. I certainly hope this aspect never changes. I've yet to find another channel that fills the warm places within me and am ever grateful for the entire team's efforts. Thank you and bravo, CineFix.

@marcelchoo8843 2 жыл бұрын

How did I not see this, amazing analysis and deconstruction of an entirely brilliant career. I have to go watch Dune now.

@macfilms9904 2 жыл бұрын

This is probably your best work - the editing of pieces of two films, illustrating the message as they blur together was really really well done. This was a Like Stories of Old level of video essay. Denis seems to be a deeply existentialist filmmaker with the premise that we are the sum of our experiences and choices. I'm glad he continues to do well so he can keep telling interesting stories about what it is to be human.

@kimwelch4652 2 жыл бұрын

"When you can already see the whole story in front of you." This statement on re-watching Arrival is eerily ironic in its reflection of the Arrival story itself. The story is different when one sees the whole picture rather than just the pieces laid out in serial temporal order both for Louise and for the viewer.

@Crazy_Diamond_75 2 жыл бұрын

That's one of the things I absolutely love about that movie. Even the meta experience of rewatching it ties directly back into the themes of the story. It is one of the most uniquely told sci-fi movies ever, and one of my favorites.

@ed1rko17 2 жыл бұрын

Denis is one of my favourite film makers of all-time, and it all started back in 2012 with Prisoners. I have to admit, I am a bit biased because I have grown up right beside where Denis did as well, in Canada. But his movies have moved me so much, particularly Blade Runner and Prisoners. Sicario and Dune are also amazing and Arrival, I love, but I have to admit, children dying of cancer is a bit much for me to ever rewatch it, while I constantly revisit all of Denis' other films. I just feel like he's one of the few film makers today that is willing to be fully vulnerable, and make serious films about the things that he struggles with, as well as all of us as human beings struggle with. His films tap into my deepest insecurities and give me solace. And isn't that the purpose of art? It's not to entertain us. It's to help us deal with life. And if you view film as just entertainment or escapism, you haven't lived yet. Film is escapism until you confront darkness that you can't escape. Then film becomes confrontation and therapy with the darkest parts of your soul. That is Denis Villeneuve. That is why he is a master that has changed my life for the better. He has helped me confront the darkness in me, not escape it.

@cremefraiche9095 2 жыл бұрын

2049 is one of the best movies of all time, and prisoners is too a remarkable brilliant movie. Guy has a sick resume

@Chris-dq6eq 2 жыл бұрын

You are absolutely right and wrote it down better than I could have. As they quote in V for Vendetta: "Artists use lies to tell the truth", and in this case Denis conveys so much sense of our common humanity and all that it (might) bring with it, you can't help but feel empowered to make the best of your life and face your fears, despite having become more aware of them through his films.

@Shiv_fernando 2 жыл бұрын

One of the best directors! and he is still young and has a long career ahead of him

@stephenkeen5737 2 жыл бұрын

He's 54. Not so young.

@Shiv_fernando 2 жыл бұрын

@@stephenkeen5737 Sure but still not that old for the directors chair in my opinion.

@stephenkeen5737 2 жыл бұрын

@@Shiv_fernando Tarantino might disagree with people over 60 directing, but I think it's fine.

@HardyCozen 2 жыл бұрын

Really great video. I do enjoy when Clint is the sole narrator because his delivery is seriously unparalleled.

@dplunk13 2 жыл бұрын

As someone who's kid just turned two I might need to revisit Arrival because I didn't care for it much the first time and holy shit do I need some help with theme of that movie. Also wasn't really a fan of the first Blade Runner but really enjoyed his sequel. Grateful some studios still let people like Villeneuve make ambitious and difficult movies.

@jerryschramm4399 2 жыл бұрын

Masterful compilation from a masterful filmmaker. Villeneuve is probably the closest to Kubrick we'll be seeing for quite a while. In a perfect world, he would have carte blanche to spend whatever he needed to realize his vision. And Michael Bay would be the "best boy" on his films.

@tstercula 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent analysis and editing. Really puts Villeneuve's work in perspective and makes me excited to see how he'll infuse the themes of myth and mission with identity in Dune.

@artpereira 2 жыл бұрын

Prisoners is a fkn brilliant movie. I love that movie so much, gives me the feeling of dread and tension and even brings me to tears and that ending, amazing.

@michaelmorse6587 2 жыл бұрын

This channel is so thoughtful and thorough in its analysis of perspective. Please keep it up. My favorite channel of the last 5 years

@vice.nor.virtue 2 жыл бұрын

Guys I'm half way through and I'm already knocked out by the qaulity and analysis of this mini-documentary. You nailed it. I feel so lucky to be alive in this time and place in that autoplay from the last video I watched about Dune on the FREE video website KZfaq blasted me with your high qaulity content. This moment I'm in is oddly more profound than I than anyone including myself expected it to me. Art gives life meaning, and when you can understand the art you're presented with that increases it's power, ergo, this mini-doc on Villineuve's career just gave my life a little bit more meaning. Thank you.

@kalmanta1824 2 жыл бұрын

BR2049 is easily one of the most defining movies last decade for me.

@Jadedpanthermatt 2 жыл бұрын

Criminally Underrated by the general public

@rohanjeril9456 2 жыл бұрын

Its one of those movies that is not well received after initial release but later only people appreciated its greatness. Like fight club and Shawshank redemption

@kadosho02 2 жыл бұрын

How to reconnect, and add more story to a fascinating classic? BR2049 did just that. Redefined it, expanded the narrative, and we see more of what made the original special. Things are not what they seem, but also the journey had so many layers.

@kratosgow342 2 жыл бұрын

@@rohanjeril9456 It's well received by critics it just doesn't translated well to general audience hence why it bombed at the box office

@rohanjeril9456 2 жыл бұрын

@@kratosgow342 yea that's my point exactly, people didn't watch it when it was in theatres and the movie was only later on appreciated by the general audience

@RichardJoJoyce 2 жыл бұрын

This is an absolutely amazing video on all levels. And I think a special shout out needs to be given to the editing, particularly here but in most IGN vids. Y'all have some of the best video editing on the internet, hands down.

@willchancellor6944 2 жыл бұрын

Really well done, guys. The most elegant video essay i've seen since Every frame a Painting way back when

@gardgarland5293 2 жыл бұрын

This is a brilliant breakdown of a rather complex topic. Perhaps my favorite video you’ve produced. I’ll def watch it over again. But first I need to track down some of his earlier French language movies.

@HolmgaardProduction 2 жыл бұрын

This was another really well-done video guys!

@tute5189 2 жыл бұрын

Love the transitions 👌🏼

@Shortfusefilm 2 жыл бұрын

Love the transitions between films!

@nachotyler 2 жыл бұрын

I really hope Dune does well and introduces so many people to one of the best directors working today.

@Jacksoncoolbreeze 2 жыл бұрын

Beautiful analysis of his films. Great work and I hope to see more videos like this from you all!

@MrShaunhunter 2 жыл бұрын

Another excellent video Clint!

@MachoToast-lg2bc 2 жыл бұрын

Villeneuve will go down as a top 10 director of all time IMO. His filmography is one of the best with Blade Runner being my personal favorite and the hopeful Dune saga being another landmark in epics

@tomhahnl1927 2 жыл бұрын

Now that's a great Video about one of the greatest Directors working today, well done!

@lightningcomet7307 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent video. Villeneuve is a filmmaker from whom I definitely want to see more. I was really disappointed that there were only 3 people in the theater with me watching Dune today.

@MrCoolmax987 2 жыл бұрын

Such a perfect video on one of my favorite directors, thanks

@stephenkeen5737 2 жыл бұрын

That was awesome. Thanks. You guys are the best.

@YoshiiWiki 2 жыл бұрын

I am blown away at how well made this video was!

@vde1846 2 жыл бұрын

Very well told and put together.

@cyoung7127 2 жыл бұрын

Bravo for such a thoughtful analysis of my favorite director

@cianomahony 2 жыл бұрын

Incredible video. Well done to all involved.

@TotalllyUseless 2 жыл бұрын

Love the writing and editing on these videos

@MissZombieSalem 2 жыл бұрын

I cant say enough good things about this video. Holy cow you all killed it with this one.

@michaeljosefjackson 2 жыл бұрын

Great video! Did not see the moves before Enemy. Saw Dune yesterday it is great. More themes of parenthood and identity explored

@Ba1atu 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this! I decided after i saw Arrival that he is my favourite director. I didnt really cared that much about who directed movies i liked. Nor did i think that i can like a movie just because its directed by someone you like. But i already loved all the movies i saw from him: Enemy, Sicario, Prisoners. I wish you would have gone back to talk about his real life and find some corespendence between his movies themes and his real lifes events.

@DelightLovesMovies 2 жыл бұрын

That's an outstanding vid about Denis Villeneuve and his films.

@Advent3546 2 жыл бұрын

Beautiful video. One of your best. Denis Villeneuve is the future!

@jedisid 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent analysis

@1da1a172 2 жыл бұрын

This video was masterfully edited.

@mollywoodshots6503 2 жыл бұрын

Watching every movie made by Villeneuve. Tomorrow, I will watch Enemy, the last one remaining. Then when theatre opens, Dune ❤️

@Archangel125 2 жыл бұрын

Your ranking so far? Or favorite at least?

@mollywoodshots6503 2 жыл бұрын

@@Archangel125 I don't think I can rank it. Prisoners is the best structured investigation thriller I've seen since SE7EN. Blade Runner is technically one of the best cinematic experiences I had, Incendies had one of the most shocking twists,... All were great. I can say, he is one of the most idiosyncratic directors of our time, a master in visual storytelling, and has turned the camera towards the ugly side of the world in literally all films, one way or the other.

@johnnysopals 2 жыл бұрын

cinefix just being perfection ... and Denis just being a fucking genius and master.

@richboss_ 2 жыл бұрын

This has to be one of the best videos Cinefix has ever made. Villeneuve has such an interesting filmography with blockbuster productions that manage to touch on personal themes that everyone can relate to.

@filmdetective 2 жыл бұрын

Well done! Thank you 😘

@ilish6338 2 жыл бұрын

He is already my favorite director 💙

@eshowoman 2 жыл бұрын

Polytechnique is a was so heart rendering that I couldn’t finish it and I love disturbing movies. Prisoners is also bleak and harrowing but Hugh Jackman’s performance of a lapsed alcoholic is masterful. Arrival, besides the gut punch finale, is the most hopeful film of Villeneuve’s oeuvre. Blade Runner 2047 and Dune are startlingly gorgeous films. The themes of parenthood and identity makes his choice to direct the Dune saga even more compelling.

@mimkyodar 2 жыл бұрын

OMG, the transitions between these movies are amazing.

@WatchTvNotJz 2 жыл бұрын

Great video

@njmddn 2 жыл бұрын

A beautiful narration

@The_Midnight_Radio 2 жыл бұрын

Incredible video

@nikhilkumar3999 2 жыл бұрын

Damn, this video strung together his movies really well.

@Directorkey718 4 ай бұрын

Fantastic essay!

@dawnadriana1764 2 жыл бұрын

Superb treatment of film artistry and source material. Asimov and Herbert created worlds beyond worlds that were real and eternally fascinating. Well done.

@serious6037 Жыл бұрын

You guys are best movie reviewing youtube page ever.

@LucyLioness100 2 жыл бұрын

I love that Denis hasn’t stuck to just one genre. He’s fine heartwarming drama, a tense thriller & made 3 excellent science-fiction films (even making a ‘Blade Runner’ sequel which I thought impossible)

@ThePrimordialChronicles 2 жыл бұрын

Ok this was a great video… On one of the best filmmakers of the last few decades now.

@nork24 2 жыл бұрын

My favorite director working today!!! P.s. seen DUNE three times now

@paoloprianiaceves9475 2 жыл бұрын

Great video 😁

@carbine090909 2 жыл бұрын

I am so excited for Dune!

@terfaniabdou5908 2 жыл бұрын

More of these videos 👌

@yusufbasakn486 2 жыл бұрын

great video..perfect viewpoint..hi from to turkey :)

@fullhit08 2 жыл бұрын

Well done sir 👍

@jonathanmelendez7489 2 жыл бұрын

Denis Villeneuve is one of the few truly genius filmmakers alive. All of his work is mesmerizing, completely on another level.

@utkarshgupta1774 2 жыл бұрын

ADMIN ! PLEASE DO A UNDERSTANDING WES ANDERSON VIDEO PLEASE!

@MariaVosa 2 жыл бұрын

Phenomenal video! Right up there with classic CineFix material (and less of the buzzfeed type content IGN seems to prefer you to make) Villeneuve really seems to have a hangup about women and pregnancies though...

@jazzew 2 жыл бұрын

Wow....this video is amazing! I just love how Blade Runner 2049 flows, and everything about it. Denis is so expert with worlds and worlds within minds and just...I have few words except all those ones. Ha ha! Oh, but some of these movies I want to peek at, for sure!

@SuperFingas 2 жыл бұрын

It’s crazy some of my favorite movies I had no idea he directed them until now

@xXNP4CNuclearXx 2 жыл бұрын

Watching Dune was a cinematic extravaganza especially for me eyes to say the least. My only regret is that I didn't have the first viewing in IMAX. Film was fantastic though.

@SmileSquish 2 жыл бұрын

Arrival is definitely one of few film I would find extremely difficult to watch again now I’m a parent. Looking forward to seeing Dune so much.

@pilote111 2 жыл бұрын

The montage of this documentary is clever

@WillKrause21 2 жыл бұрын

This might as well be a 20 min "this is why Denis Villeneuve is the best person to do Dune possible"

@alexcoyg3281 2 жыл бұрын

Prisoners is my favorite movie.Just love it.

@travisspazz1624 2 жыл бұрын

I can't remember the last time a director has had a hot streak like Denis Villeneuve!! Also my blu ray of Polytechniqe has English as the default language, and it's not dubbed!

@zaianmiguel 2 жыл бұрын

I feel like we need a "Brief history" on David Fincher...these are great

@AGoodJoe 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent

@ziyangli5518 2 жыл бұрын

For sicario I actually thought Kate not pulling the trigger means she has succumb to the bleak reality of the amoral world that she could not do anything about. Interesting to see this alternate interpretation that it was actually her upholding of moral principle. Might give the film another go if I could muster enough strength.

@noelmirando 2 жыл бұрын

My favorite film is Incendies. 1+1=1

@Joblo266 2 жыл бұрын

Great video ! Anyone able to help me find out the score use in the SICARIO segment ? Thanks

@LynnHermione 2 жыл бұрын

Interesting, Dune also has as a central theme the struggle between free will and fate, or the historical and social forces that seem like fate.

@kennethkorri7775 2 жыл бұрын

Have to vehemently disagree with the writer of this piece on the point about Joi dying with no greater meaning. She intentionally drew Luv's attention to destroy her chip instead of merely seizing it. She knew Luv's sadism would overcome her strategic sense, thereby protecting all of the data about the underground and Rachel's child that Luv would have otherwise found. Joi sacrificed herself for a greater cause, establishing her personhood in a way that complicates the definition of humanity.

@mikekasabion 2 жыл бұрын

As Jared Leto says in the movie “Pain reminds us that the joy we felt was real” which I think is a clear answer