INTRODUCTION
Mise-en-scene involves every element of a scene to convey a message or showcase a story. This includes the type of shot such as point of view, pan or tilt shot, position of characters and props, posture of characters in frame which filmmakers use to subliminally to convey meaning to an audience. Understanding these techniques are known as the 4P framework by Considine & Haley which fosters deeper analysis of media messages by identifying position, posture, props, and point-of-view within a scene. The placement within a scene provides a serious insight into many of the unspoken or unseen messages of the film. By applying this concept to the film Dune part one, we can observe the themes & messages from a story of adventure, fantasy and sci-fi that would seem entertaining on the surface but philosophical underneath.
The 2021 film Dune (titled onscreen as Dune: part one) tells the story of Paul Atreides, a brilliant and gifted young man born into a great destiny beyond his understanding, who must travel to the most dangerous planet in the universe to ensure the future of his family and his people. Denis Villeneuve, the director of the movie, has described it as a “movie about fate and destiny”. He also said that the movie is a “call for action, for us to change things. Specifically for the youth”. The movie is based on Frank Herbert’s novel of the same name, which is known for its complex themes and intricate plot. The movie explores several themes such as ecology, politics, religion, and human nature. It highlights the dangers of exploiting natural resources and the consequences of political power struggles. The movie also delves into the concept of prophecy and how it can shape human destiny. Dune was nominated for ten Academy Awards and won six of them while being ranked as one of the top ten films of 2021 by the American Film Institute.
Analyzing the film according to Considine & Haley’s 4P framework demonstrates how the film conveys these themes. Ultimately, we can see how a film can serve as sociopolitical conversation-starters simply through how they're constructed. By applying the mise-en-scene analysis, we will explore the themes of ecology, scarcity, fate and prophecy.
Organisms & Their Environments
The film begins with a voiceover by Chani, a native of the planet played by Zendaya, saying " my planet Arrakis is so beautiful, when the sun is low, you can see spice in the air." Arrakis is known as the most dangerous planet in this universe however the native people have found a way to live on & with the planet. Dune explores ideas drawn from ecology, a branch of science that looks at the relationship between organisms and their environment. Frank Herbert's son, Brian Herbert, writes in the afterword to the novel of the same name that Herbert understood ecology as "the science of understanding consequences." The Fremen, known as the natives, use dew collectors and expend enormous resources (both water and spice) to make minuscule changes to the surface of Arrakis, hoping that in generations to come, that small change will have a great consequence.
Ecologists examine how living things depend on one another for survival and how they use natural resources such as air, soil, and water to stay alive. In an article by Vanity Fair, Denis Villeneuve explains how one's environment can change a person by saying "a human being, discovering a new world, a new culture, and slowly being transformed by this journey".
When Demand is Greater than Supply
Water is so scarce and the climate so arid that going outside into the elements requires a special suit that filters potable water from the body's natural secretions and waste. To be in the desert of Arrakis without a stillsuit is certain death. This theme, scarcity, can be seen throughout the film, and not just in the obvious water shortage of the Fremen. At a luxurious state dinner in Arrakeen, Liet-Kynes explains to Paul the Law of the Minimum: growth is limited by that necessity which is present in the least amount.
Various characters struggle with their own Law of the Minimum. Jessica perceives a scarcity of allies as Paul's primary challenge after the fall of House Atreides. Paul manipulates the least-present necessity, the spice, and uses it as leverage to become the emperor. Paul's understanding of the Law of the Minimum helps him expand his power. By explaining scarcity and then demonstrating it repeatedly to the audience, Villeneuve encourages consideration of the ecological rules that govern daily life, and how least-present resources can be protected. In order to mine the spice, House Harkonnen, Arrakis’ previous rulers, resort to brutal tactics, especially to control the native population known as the Fremen.
Fate versus Free Will
Dune explores themes of fate and prophecy, seemingly occupying a middle ground as to whether fate is real or free will reigns. On the anti-fate side, everything about Paul's interaction with the Fremen, from earning their acceptance to becoming their leader, is thanks to actions, tactics and superstitions spread by a group called the Bene Gesserit to protect themselves hundreds of years ago. The "prophecies" that Paul fulfills are manufactured by the Bene Gesserit. The future sight that Paul possesses isn't because he's the messiah or chosen one but due to his extensive training and exposure to spice. Paul's story can be seen as a crafty generations-long capitalization on resources, power, and an effective eugenics program manipulated by the Bene Gesserit.
On the pro-fate side, Paul can see the avenues of the future, having prescient dreams before his first encounter with spice. He fulfills Fremen prophecies without knowing about them, seemingly impossibly, like his first time wearing a stillsuit which he adjusts it to fit him using feeling. With more exposure to spice, Paul receives a vision of war in the future. His actions do result in a religious war in his name, as he predicted. By trying to prevent that vision, he ensures that it will happen, which seems to indicate that fate will run its course regardless of free will.
The final vision Paul receives occurs when he and his mother's lives are in danger in one of Arrakis' sandstorms which offers friendly advice. Paul's posture begins to change as he relaxes his body even though his life is in danger. A point of view shot displays a sun and images of sand then cuts back to Paul who moves his head showcasing to the viewer that he is experiencing another vision. The point of view shot shows a face with a voice whispering "see the friend". While looking into the camera, this person gives advice about the mystery of life is about experiencing it instead changing it and the best thing to do is to join it and let go. He stands up and shows his worm riding hooks which foreshadows Paul's riding of a sand worm. Cutting back to Paul, we see his posture changes with determined look on his face with a voice saying "let go" which he proceeds to follow. He cuts off the engine of the ornithopter and lets the winds of the sandstorm carry them which works out for them. This scene is the main emphasis of fate versus free will because the visions are representations of fate however these will not come to be without the actions or free will taken by one. This vision is important since it showed this person giving advice to Paul otherwise this circumstance would not occur due to the person in the vision & Paul's first encounter.
The long-awaited first meeting between Paul and his mother, Lady Jessica, and the Fremen arrives in the film’s final scenes. This is when Paul finally meets Chani, confirming the visions are showing the future however he also meets Janis, the person from the sandstorm vision. The encounter of Janis and Paul is not friendly at all due to Janis wanting to challenge Paul into single combat to the death. Upon meeting the Fremen, their leader starts to believe that Paul could be the one of prophecy to save Arrakis this sparks Janis' interest to challenge him. Janis never shows any sign of kindness towards Paul which brings up the uncertainty of the visions or fate.
Conclusion
The change from the environment comes in the form of habitability by the adaptation of the Fremen and, in character, by the change of Paul who begins innocent & hopeful of the future to wanting to change the future by any means necessary. In summary, Dune is a thought-provoking movie that explores complex themes such as ecology, politics, religion, and human nature. It is a call for action to change things and highlights the dangers of exploiting natural resources. The movie also delves into the concept of prophecy and how it can shape human destiny.
References
Canfield, D. (2021, December 17). A deep dive into the visceral cinematography of ‘Dune.’ Vanity Fair. https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2021/12/awards-insider-dune-cinematography-shot-list
Considine, D., & Haley, G. (1999). Visual messages: Integrating imagery into instruction (2nded.).Englewood, Colorado: Teacher Ideas Press.
Media in this analysis has been compiled for educational purposes.