What's your favorite Denis Villeneuve film? And which director should I cover next in my Filmmaker Philosophies series? Let me know below! And as always, you can support my work on Patreon: www.patreon.com/LikeStoriesofOld and claim some cool rewards!
Definitely Blade Runner 2049. Maybe I'm biased because I loved the first one and I love how the film just takes its time to tell the story, unlike the common trend where films try to tell as much story as they can cram in 1.5 hours (which is understandable, but personally not my preference)
Bladerunner 2049 is his overall best for us cinema nerds out there, but Sicario is his best mastery of making something consumable to “general” audiences that still satisfies us “film nerds” with his directing masterwork. Plus, they’re both shot by Deakins, and together those two are the dream team of modern cinema.
@@honestbaguette bladerunner was never a shyt movie its just too meta. I understood n loved every aspect of it but its cause I tend to like intellectual, introspective things. Anything mainstream is dumbed down, mind numbing thats why the kardashians are popular n br flopped. Cant cater to the “average” with extraordinary
Enemy: no bagpipes Prisoners: no bagpipes Sicario: no bagpipes Arrival: no bagpipes Blade Runner 2049: no bagpipes Dune: bagpipes ...seems pretty obvious to me which one is Villeneuve's best film.
Good morning. Think of different way: each film has different countries-itineraries-places-climates references. August 32nd on Earth: USA - Dry desert Maelström: Norway - No dry desert - Snow Polytechnique: Canada - No dry desert - Snow Incendies: Lebanon - Dry desert Enemy: Canada - No dry desert - Snow Prisoners: USA - No dry desert - Snow Sicario: Mexico - Dry desert Arrival: Portuguese /Portugal - Sanskrit / India - Kangaroo / Australia - Chinese / China - Dry desert Blade Runner 2049: Korea - Dry desert Dune: Scotland - Spain - Japan - China - Magreb - Dry desert Best regards and good luck.
I thought it was Zimmer's hacky allusion to Gurney Halleck's Baliset. Apparently Villeneuve shot a scene with Brolin playing the instrument, maybe even singing (I can't recall if Gurney sings, but I believe he does - it's been over 15 years since I last read Dune), but it was left on the cutting room floor.
I think of you as an artistic therapist for filmmakers. You draw conculsions and philosophical concepts which the directors themselves most likely never completely formed in their own minds, but still ended up expressing in their work. You have a gift.
One director that doesn’t avoid slow steps in the deep darkest territory of the human mind. Everything takes time and must be appreciated, that’s what I appreciate the most in Denis Villeneuve’s work.
Yeah, I think that's most evident in Sicario, in the hands of any other director it would have probably been just an action thriller about the war against the cartel, but thanks to him and his team there is something else present here, something very sinister and haunting, in some of the scenes it almost feels like there is something supernatural about what's going on despite it being all quite realistic and grounded.
This is already pretty dreadful. Everyone is so serious and Paul seems constipated most of the time. I’m not asking for quips but the whole thing was so one note. The Harkonnen were the best part because they were the least boring.
@@LordJagd I can understand you there. It's a pretty reserved and cold film in the outside. I kind of prefer David Lynch's take, it's way more energetic. And also the mind killer box scene is way better.
@@brandonmorel2658 Some parts of the new box scene were great, like how they used the editing to show the voice pulling him towards her. But it wasn't even clear what was going on and everyone I asked had no idea his hand was burning. Paul in general is better in the Lynch film, even though he looks older he somehow seems more youthful, innocent, and energetic. And structurally Lynch's is way better in the same way -- so much happens in the first third of Lynch's Dune, while the new one spends that time mostly watching people talking in boring closeups.
go find my comment in the main comments, you will understand why he take the time with the psycologic part of his caracter...why deep and dark at some point.
Denis Villeneuve also has a lot of respect for education and teachers/mentors - see Polytechnique, Enemy, Sicario, Dune and Arrival. Really beautiful essay and you've made me tear up.
For over 4 years now, I've consistently watched your videos and it still amazes me how like no other channel, your combination of videos and thought provoking analysis moves something deep in the soul of the viewer. You have a real talent and I truly hope you continue to follow this passion of yours. Cheers!
"What's your favorite Denis Villeneuve film?" Arrival. don't even have to think about that answer. that is one of the most powerful films ever made. i cant even think about it or see these little clips in this video from it without it hitting me.
First time I watched Arrival, I was only moderately invested... But the ending changed everything, working backwards to retroactively create a masterpiece. Second time I watched Arrival (first viewing for my gf), I started crying right from the first "flashback"(flashforward?) scenes... My gf was thinking "geeze, it's a sad backstory, but not enough to care or cry about..." I told her she just didn't understand yet. By the end of the film she was bawling, and completely understood
I think I don´t have any favourite Villenueve´s film. I like all of them, some a little more and some a little less. If I had to choose, I would choose "Polytechnique", "Incendies", "Prisioners", "Arrival", but the rest of them I like a lot.
A different director would be content with adapting Dune "just" as an epic journey and call it a day. Denis however, is just setting the stage for the future terrifying Paul. Part two? Can't wait for Messiah I say, the dread he is going to film in that one should be one for the ages.
Yeah, i really want to see Part two, with the Fremens and the rise of Muad'Dib, but want i REALLY want to see is Villeneuve's take on Messiah, the despair and decadence of the world built in the first movies/book is something incredible.
This is why I can’t wait two years. The aerial bombardment on Atreides by the Harkonnen is eerily similar to the shock and awe attack on Baghdad in 2003. The second part is Paul walking into the desert with the Fremen. At that moment you can get a sense of the significance and that the war is actually starting at that moment. Paul made the terrible decision to embrace the Holy War.
I hope you're right. I seem to be one of the few people that didn't like Dune. I've decided to give it a second try, but the first time around I felt it was slow and boring and lacked what I love about the books. I felt the political tension was missing, the interpersonal relationships where downplayed, and I didn't get the same sense of the romanticised beauty of the desert the books gave me. All in all it didn't make me feel much of anything. But maybe it was just me, too high expectations maybe, or maybe I just wasn't in the right mood. Did the same thing with Arrival, hated it first time watching it but I liked it a lot more the second time. Either way, I really hope a part 2 will do it justice. From my first impression though I was sort of expecting part 2 to be a boring Paul and Chani romance with the holy war as a background, and since Princess Irulan was not in the first movie I was thinking they'd just get rid of her character altogether so they can have a happy ending for Paul and Chani. Hope I'm wrong though.
@@daniel4647 The reality is that Dune should be like Game of Thrones. It should be 8 one to two hour shows on HBO or Netflix. The directors can’t go into this much detail. Considering the subject matter Villenauve did an excellent job. At least he didn’t turn out a clusterfXxx that was the Lynch version. The Sci Fy version was far better than Lynches version but lacked enough diversity in that here you have a desert planet with no people of color. This movie fixes that. But the budget for the Sci fy version made it look like a High School play. The costumes were ridiculous and lacked any precision and the performances were excellent with some solid actors. But that show could have been much better.
@@MHiggins My thoughts were the same; that it would have been better as the series of a show. As it was no sooner were many of the characters or aspects of the setting introduced - deftly but briefly - than they were often dead, destroyed, or in the past. You didn't really get a feeling for it. Unlike for example some of the characters in Squid Game. Additionally they could have better managed the pacing that way, as I felt that in terms of audience emotion and dramatic arc, the movie should have ended sooner, but for the fact they wanted to reach a point where they could do something of a time gap.
Man, the script for this video was SO DAMN STRONG, kudos! I was deeply moved towards the end, which is precisely the sort of overwhelming emotion I feel after watching a Villeneuve film. I walked into the theater to watch Sicario when it opened solely based on what writers I like said about it, but I'm really glad I stumbled upon someone who, years later, directed a Blade Runner film which blew me away (as a die-hard fan of the original and the novel) and then a larger-than-life version of Dune, one of the great sci-fi sagas ever published. Your videos are incredible. Keep up the good work and stay real.
I have similar experiences. Denis Villeneuve films are visual masterpieces. For me they must be seen on the best screen possible. I saw Dune in a true IMAX theatre. Wow. Wow. Wow.
Denis Villeneuve is my favorite director. His movies are "different" than most Hollywood movies, and that is the beauty of his directing. He also tends to bring out the best of every actor he works with. Every time I hear about a new movie directed by Denis, I cannot wait to watch it because I know I will be satisfied.
I never knew who he was until Dune, but I realized I had seen almost all his movies and loved them all, him and Christopher Nolan are tied as my all time favorites
this is what happens when an artist can pursue their vision and not be led down money grubbing rabbit holes and franchises. He's super talented of course which helps. Unfortunately hollywood investors like to bank on "sure thing" franchises and existing guaranteed audiences so we don't get a lot of original block buster content.
IDK about "not money grubbing. I think he embraces the "darkness" of the Hollywood machine, as a necessity. I suspect he's going through the same journey as his main characters. Not that he likes it, but he has to wade through it to get somewhere. If he thought it could be transcended, he would make very different movies. I felt conflicted about Blade Runner 2049, because while the original has tragic elementd, it's summed up by "like tears in the rain" speech. Very meaningful. Roy was redeemed at his death. 2049 left me tired, thoughtful, but sad. I'm kind of apprehensive about Dune part 2. I don't think there's shame in wanting a happy ending. Certainly LSoO always ends hopefully!
Dune was a masterpiece in both cinematography and storytelling. Someone other than Villeneuve would have created a star wars/star trek copypaste movie, he set up the stage for an epic coming-of-age story, with high stakes and a protagonist with just the right amount of darkness in him, and who does NOT shy away from the darkness, but will be forced to embrace it at some point, sacrificing his essence on the altar of victory, and becoming what his mother and her sisterhood think he is destined to be. Can't wait for part 2.
My problem with it is that it feels way too much like a setup to the next one. And the the interpretation our host here has was presented in the movie way to subtly to make me wonder about it when I got out of the theater, and it's kind of cool to hear new interpretations to art, but I feel it would have added a lot more to the experience if the film itself was a little bit clearer with it's message while watching watching it.
@@brandonmorel2658 that is true, but the story itself develops in the first movie on its own, it's not a truly "empty" movie like so many whose only purpose is setting up for a sequel. Besides "part 2" is already greenlit so we will get to see it
@@brandonmorel2658 Not sure if it's too subtle when the climax of the 3rd act is he struggling to not kill one of his dream guides, and then breaking what he thought was a clear prophecy.
@@CanalTremocos When i first saw it, I thought it was him fulfilling that prophecy. The voices in his head were telling him that he had to die to become muab dib, I interpreted like he had to die metaphorically, like if he accepted to become The Messiah, Paul had to die by killing the Nigerian guy and be reborn. Thinking about it some time later, the grandiosity interpretation does fit this film.
The fact that his movies go so deep into the topics of psychology and philosophy is what makes him so different. Psychology and philosophy are what I see as my biggest interests in life and his movies just pick up on my interests. This man is a mastermind and together with Kurt Cobain one of the most interesting personalities in pop culture. In the superficial and shallow world we live in, it is great to still see such deep personalities
I think this resonates with your essay on nature. Chaos is just as natural, and we have to find a way to live in harmony with it. It is an awesome power you shouldn't fight without facing dire consequences. Doing the best with what you have by moving forward is the heroic ideal.
Amazing insight that I never considered about my newest favourite director. You've made me appreciate his work even more. I wonder what Villeneuve would think of your analysis. Bravo, friend.
When I had heard this guy was doing Dune, I was stunned. For the longest time, it felt like everything happening in the world didn't make sense, but for once, things did, and I'm happy for that.
This was my favorite video of your so far, almost made me tear up at the end there. What a great comparative and thematic study of Villeneuve's philosophy as exposed in his films. Really connected some dots for me, and made me appreciate even more deeply the beauty and uniqueness of Villeneuves movies. Keep it up Tom, love your stuff!
A friend and fellow film buff pointed out the Villeneuve benefits greatly from the expert skills of cinematographer *Roger Deakins* and upon further review, I concur.
Yep, and maybe 'cuz am not a 'yuge' Villeneuve fan, but that Dune is often criticized for the cinematography (among other thangs), it kinda shows how weak '2049' woulda really been if Deakins hadn't been behind the lens.
@@dasein47 Greig Fraser did a fantastic job as he has for Rogue One, Foxcatcher, Zero Dark Thirty and Lion. He's up there with Roger Deakins but in a much more spackled realism sense with his cinematography. Greig is able to do scale and grandiosity for bigger films in that his experience of that makes it more believable, whereas Deakins is a better focus cinematographer. Dune is about scale and human condition, BR2049 is about memories and the human condition in a desolate world. Two different perspectives.
Thank you so much for making this and other videos. I cannot begin to tell you how much this resonated with and moved me. You are doing humanity a great service, this was 33 minutes of poetry for the soul
For many years, I've thought of messianism as the impulse that someone else will come and save us. But only recently, this last season, I've been forced to think of it not only like that, but also in the self-aggrandizing sense that, "*I* will save us all." It's just as problematic, but in a very different kind of way that I had not expected.
Indeed, the only person you have any hope of saving is yourself. Even this is a hill too high for most to climb. You can either: 1) accept the way things are (e.g. how you react to people, your anxieties, depressions, pain), 2) try and change your behaviour/personality (often, an impossible and relentless task) or 3) live in a world of denial, never moving forward, stuck wishing things were different, yet never making them so. Option 3 is the hardest and yet, its the path most take because who wants to accept their mortality and meaninglessness? But the truth (i.e. acceptance) will set you free.
@@skullsaintdead You have a lot of presuppositions in your conclusions, and I'm not quite sure your articulations are necessarily what Michael was going for. There are a lot of issues with messianism and the conclusions you draw of the former have to do with in which paradigm you operate. Paul for example was set up to be a "messiah" for Arrakis by the Bene Gesserit far in advance for his arrival, because they were looking to manipulate the Kwisatz Haderach after 10,000 years of genetic manipulation. We enter into a perception vs reality situation and what I'll call a "behavioral allowance". The Fremen see Paul as a "savior" which in turn sets loose Jihad's across known space. Do saviors allow / enable / cause people to enact great evil in their name (behavior which is already there they just need an excuse for I would argue), or how much do you divorce the actions of an ideological follower vs it's leader? I would generally agree with the basic premise of, "The only person you have control over, and sometimes not even as much as we'd like, is yourself," however.
@@HandlesAreStupid2024 Yeah, I haven't seen the new film, only going on what I remember of approx. 2/3rds of Lynch's (frankly, I got bored and in the copy I had, the quality was poor). I'm sort of talking more broadly, about how people are drawn to seek out things/feelings that will make them feel better immediately (messiahs, religions, denial) but will destroy them in the long run. We're at a funny place in evolution, we know that we will die and have survived effectively by fearing death, yet we're terrified of our mortality to the point of conjuring up gods and saviours, all of which are simple constructs of men trying to avoid meaninglessness. But accepting life has no intrinsic meaning isn't so bad, you can create meaning in your own life, with no need for external forces 'guiding' (manipulating) you into their path.
for me his movies get vbetter each time i watch them, that has given his work a special place in my heart and mind. esepcially true for blade runner, one of my favourite movies of all time
You are such a skilled and humble editor and storyteller that I find it difficult to express my gratitude for being able to experience your work. Astonishing stuff.
Damn. I'm a tired writer, and I find listening to your various installments profoundly soothing. Your voice perfectly suits your scripts. Unhurried, moving with the desirable inexorability of song, your insights, so thoughtfully and honestly presented, with a genuine humility perishingly rare of late - they are nothing short of a sovereign specific to the deep fatigue which daily bites at my hopes, for a voice within this troubled species of ours.
I like to look at this as a loop. it starts with the Dune books, which Denis read in his teenage years. You can see how it inspired him and the ideas it sparked. He explored and refined those ideas and themes throughout his career, finding the essence of it. It culminates in him getting to adapt the book he loves so much, Dune, into a cinematic masterpiece. Seeing what pieces of the story he includes and how he portrays them, shines a big light on what's important to him and the themes that stuck with him from the books. This film could easily look very different, focus on the spectacle. Yet he brilliantly highlights and establishes the nuances and intricacies of the plot, the different people and how they tie together in this complicated spiderweb.
He has said he wanted to be a mature enough director in the science fiction genre, before tackling Dune. So he did Arrival and Blade Runner as prep. Lol.
“We are the false messiahs of our own stories.” Brilliant! To me that’s exactly who we we humans are. Visible everywhere one looks, in every larger scale action ,every larger scale reaction.
Absolutely amazing video! Just wonderfully done! I needed to see this video; I’m going through a similar stage of my life as these film protagonists. It’s a difficult pill to swallow, not being able to control the chaos and having to acknowledge my helplessness in its presence. I hope and pray I’m able to fully embrace it and not only live, but thrive, as these characters do in their own respective endings.
I just love this idea of the battle between our conscious and unconscious selves and what happens next being the crux of the story, which Villeneuve wants to show. I think what I also love about Denis’ films is that he doesn’t make judgments about people. He doesn’t say “this is how you should have managed the situation” or “you were wrong to think this” he just allows the characters to go through their own journeys and learn to cope with the hand that is dealt them. Louise doesn’t judge Ian in Arrival. She doesn’t say “he was wrong to not believe in his daughter” she just says “I told him something he wasn’t ready to hear.” It’s a very sympathetic and sensitive statement which casts no blame or guilt upon her husband. Many modern films believe you have to root for one character against another, or you won’t be ‘engaged’. I think watching the journey of a person coming to terms with their own fallibility & learning to find hope again out of chaos is a far more ‘engaging’ story.
As a French Canadian I appreciate your prononciation of Denis Villeneuve's name I groan at American prononciation and laugh at Google maps voice pronouncing French street names.
Once again, an absolute marvel of an essay, incredible. Your videos not only give me a better understanding of film and it's creators, philosophically speaking, as they make me feel something. Keep it up, you are a gem.
felt a lil bit hopeless about life lately and this video showed up on my youtube suggestion. i cried at the end. and reminded once again to embrace the harshness of life. thank you for this.
Wow, this was a truly revelatory analysis, congrats! I think you really managed to untangle something about this amazing filmography. And it’s wonderful how you manage to weave the macro and micro levels of Villeneuve’s films together in a coherent way. Also, I realized part of my love for Villeneuve might stem from the fact that he seems to make movies about the Samwise Gamgees of the world in a way:))
Thank you for making this essay, it meant a lot to me. I’ve been fans of denis villeneuve work since i see sicario in theater and never missed his work since then.
I found this insightful in addition to being beautifully edited and articulated. Thank you for taking the time and care to craft something of this quality and share it with us.
We want desperately to be liked, loved, and in control of our lives; and intentional, overt, human hostility and aggression-more than anything else in life-assaults our self-image, our sense of control, our sense of the world as a meaningful and comprehensible place, and, ultimately, our mental and physical health. Lt. Col. Dave Grossman "On killing" In my opinion, this discribed very well the innermost motive in Villeneuves movies.
I've watched this 3 times now because I feel like the central point is so important that I want to make absolutely sure I learn from it. Thank you so much for this, for giving words to something that the films are good at making you feel, but which is not simple at all to describe. You're a very thoughtful and accessible creator.
Hey man, can you talk about *immortality* in stories, next?? I've always wanted to know how an actual immortal would of think of humanity, after basically living with "us" for generations. Living through men's wars, peace, suffering and evolution. Like, if an immortal that have lived for millennia said he/she had lost faith in humanity, what would be your response? How do you argue with someone that literally has WAY MORE experience than you could ever have about such a subject? Could make a great video, honestly.
@@LikeStoriesofOld I've actually did. A pretty good film, might I add. It's just not *"cynical"* enough, if that makes sense. I'm not saying I want to be mentally destroyed, but I honestly expected *some* level of doubt, especially after seeing so much for such a long time.
@@LikeStoriesofOld I like the perspective "Only Lovers Left Alive" has. It's sort of a meditation on immortality almost. Like, how do you live a life that interacts with society over time, but without ever giving away this crucial freakish detail about yourself. What do you come to appreciate? It's sort of sad without being pessimistic?
I think you might want to consider Villeneuve is a Jungian more than a Freudian. I don’t think the films are actually concentrating on repression and the familial/sexual. I think his concentration of dreams has to do with what Heidegger would call the transcendent imagination. The message “Dreams are messages from the deep” is more Jungian than Freudian.
My first Villeneuve movie was Enemy, I loved it so much as a film buff, it made me think for days and days. It’s still to this day my favourite movie. I never get excited to show it to people though because a lot don’t see the point of the movie. Every once in a while though I get to watch someone get obsessed with it and go down the same Dennis Villeneuve rabbit hole I did
Wow! That's a wonderful piece. On Grandiosity, my favorite quotation from Dune is the following: “Greatness is a transitory experience. It is never consistent. It depends in part upon the myth-making imagination of humankind. The person who experiences greatness must have a feeling for the myth he is in. He must reflect what is projected upon him. And he must have a strong sense of the sardonic. This is what uncouples him from belief in his own pretensions. The sardonic is all that permits him to move within himself. Without this quality, even occasional greatness will destroy a man.”
My favourite video essayist talking about my favourite director, who's made some of my favourite films. What a treat! Excellent work as always, Denis Villenueve has such a distinct voice and aesthetic, his movies will be talked about for decades to come im sure. Id be hard pressed to chose between his movies, but Sicario left a huge impact on me so I'd probably say that.
"You made me feel so safe" In Prisoners really hits me. As somebody whos in charge of a family, not being able to protect them always or defend them when the time comes it must be a horrible sensation, i can't imagine to belive what effect it takes to a father.
This gentleman has a gift. I love his presentation, and dedication and clear emotional connection to the content he’s discussing. I always get chills and am in awe
"You will face insoluble problems that will lead to other equally insoluble problems" This quote from Incendies is actually a perfect description of what his characters (and the spectator) go through in every single one of his films.
“To be evenminded is the greatest virtue. Wisdom is to speak the truth and act in keeping with its nature.” - Heraclitus “You have power over your mind - not outside events. Realize this and you will find strength.” - Marcus Aurelius
Thanks so much for your thoughtful and thought provoking essays. You influenced me to watch "Arrival" and "The Fountain" (Aronofsky). Now planning a deeper dive into Villeneuve's films, per your commentary. Discovered "Dune" in the mid 70s, as a teenager, and have read Herbert's novels countless times over the years. I am pleased with Villeneuve's "Dune", very difficult book(s) to bring to the screen.
I’ve yet to watch this video but I already hope you mention Incendies in it. An absolute masterpiece of a movie, one amongst my top three favorites. I love Denis’ high budget international productions but Incendies will forever have a special place in my heart and I wish people talked more about it.
Well this essay was as exciting, heartbreaking, thought-provoking and beautiful as a human life itself. I think about your own internal journey in creating this. And I thank you. My favourite film by Denis is Dune. Being a super fan of the books, it’s well known that making a movie that does the epic justice has been notoriously difficult. Denis pulled it off, and I’m not surprised. His biggest strength is that he understands humans on a level far deeper than most would care to venture.
Brilliant and so deep 👏makes one reflect as an INFJ I'm glued to the way your video express these views and our connections between ourselves and story telling be it I it's multitudes of art forms. Also throwing am idea out there maybe at some point if you would do a video of connecting cinema,stories it's characters to the different briggs myers personalities. Anyway keep up the amazing work !
I just finished watching all of Villeneuve's films to finally see this. Remarkable work. Great editing, great story. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this video.
I think that you read more into a filmmaker's work than they even intend, but I love you for it. Another beautiful and meaningful addition to your great work. Prisoners is the one I like best, and Fincher or Nolan for your next episodes.
Just want to say I sincerely appreciate how eloquently you disassemble and bring forth the key themes of Villeneuve’s films. I thoroughly enjoyed this video and the time it must have taken to put it together.
I feel like your work perfectly complements Max Derrat’s take on video games as vessels for meaningful concepts of narrative, circumscribing the intricacies of human consciousness. ❤️❤️❤️
Your content always has great editing and is generally well put together but most importantly, it's very thoughtful. This was obviously no exception. I appreciated it a great deal. Thank you.
What's your favorite Denis Villeneuve film? And which director should I cover next in my Filmmaker Philosophies series? Let me know below!
And as always, you can support my work on Patreon: www.patreon.com/LikeStoriesofOld and claim some cool rewards!
Definitely Blade Runner 2049. Maybe I'm biased because I loved the first one and I love how the film just takes its time to tell the story, unlike the common trend where films try to tell as much story as they can cram in 1.5 hours (which is understandable, but personally not my preference)
Its so tough to just choose one. I find myself torn between Prisoners and Incendies. Was thinking about both movies for weeks after I watched them
Bladerunner 2049 is his overall best for us cinema nerds out there, but Sicario is his best mastery of making something consumable to “general” audiences that still satisfies us “film nerds” with his directing masterwork.
Plus, they’re both shot by Deakins, and together those two are the dream team of modern cinema.
@@colemercer8832 im a cinema nerd and i cant say Blade runner is my favorite... Its an amazing movie tho
@@freskars fair. Out of curiosity, which is?
Villeneuve has had one of the strongest 10 year period I've been alive to see from a filmmaker. Unbelievable how good his films are.
Though he thought his carreer was dead after BR2049. It would've been a shame.
@@honestbaguette bladerunner was never a shyt movie its just too meta. I understood n loved every aspect of it but its cause I tend to like intellectual, introspective things. Anything mainstream is dumbed down, mind numbing thats why the kardashians are popular n br flopped. Cant cater to the “average” with extraordinary
@@alimeharaz3674 I didn't say it was bad. I love it myself.
You’re right. I’ve been watching almost this entire decade and it has been whirlwind of cinematic meaning. An incredible decade for Villeneuve.
Not really for me, I find his films a bit off. Thought Bladerunner was pretty bad
Enemy: no bagpipes
Prisoners: no bagpipes
Sicario: no bagpipes
Arrival: no bagpipes
Blade Runner 2049: no bagpipes
Dune: bagpipes
...seems pretty obvious to me which one is Villeneuve's best film.
That was Hans Zimmer playing the pipes
Like every hero on their journey, they evolve toward greatness.
Good morning. Think of different way: each film has different countries-itineraries-places-climates references.
August 32nd on Earth: USA - Dry desert
Maelström: Norway - No dry desert - Snow
Polytechnique: Canada - No dry desert - Snow
Incendies: Lebanon - Dry desert
Enemy: Canada - No dry desert - Snow
Prisoners: USA - No dry desert - Snow
Sicario: Mexico - Dry desert
Arrival: Portuguese /Portugal - Sanskrit / India - Kangaroo / Australia - Chinese / China - Dry desert
Blade Runner 2049: Korea - Dry desert
Dune: Scotland - Spain - Japan - China - Magreb - Dry desert
Best regards and good luck.
@@cristobalmarinmolina2353 you might be interested in the arctic desert. snow and glaciers can be considered a desert ecoregion.
I thought it was Zimmer's hacky allusion to Gurney Halleck's Baliset.
Apparently Villeneuve shot a scene with Brolin playing the instrument, maybe even singing (I can't recall if Gurney sings, but I believe he does - it's been over 15 years since I last read Dune), but it was left on the cutting room floor.
I think of you as an artistic therapist for filmmakers. You draw conculsions and philosophical concepts which the directors themselves most likely never completely formed in their own minds, but still ended up expressing in their work. You have a gift.
Couldn't have said it better myself!
He really does connect and put into words the intangible ways filmmakers communicate.
One director that doesn’t avoid slow steps in the deep darkest territory of the human mind.
Everything takes time and must be appreciated, that’s what I appreciate the most in Denis Villeneuve’s work.
Yeah, I think that's most evident in Sicario, in the hands of any other director it would have probably been just an action thriller about the war against the cartel, but thanks to him and his team there is something else present here, something very sinister and haunting, in some of the scenes it almost feels like there is something supernatural about what's going on despite it being all quite realistic and grounded.
This is already pretty dreadful. Everyone is so serious and Paul seems constipated most of the time. I’m not asking for quips but the whole thing was so one note. The Harkonnen were the best part because they were the least boring.
@@LordJagd I can understand you there. It's a pretty reserved and cold film in the outside. I kind of prefer David Lynch's take, it's way more energetic. And also the mind killer box scene is way better.
@@brandonmorel2658 Some parts of the new box scene were great, like how they used the editing to show the voice pulling him towards her. But it wasn't even clear what was going on and everyone I asked had no idea his hand was burning. Paul in general is better in the Lynch film, even though he looks older he somehow seems more youthful, innocent, and energetic. And structurally Lynch's is way better in the same way -- so much happens in the first third of Lynch's Dune, while the new one spends that time mostly watching people talking in boring closeups.
go find my comment in the main comments, you will understand why he take the time with the psycologic part of his caracter...why deep and dark at some point.
Denis Villeneuve also has a lot of respect for education and teachers/mentors - see Polytechnique, Enemy, Sicario, Dune and Arrival.
Really beautiful essay and you've made me tear up.
Incindies as well. The daughter is a math teacher.
Love this observation. Educator here. Cinephile too!!
For over 4 years now, I've consistently watched your videos and it still amazes me how like no other channel, your combination of videos and thought provoking analysis moves something deep in the soul of the viewer. You have a real talent and I truly hope you continue to follow this passion of yours. Cheers!
Villeneuve just doesn't miss. Each of his movie is a masterpiece in their own right. He's probably my favorite filmaker ever
Jesus.
This is INCREDIBLE.
Was sobbing by the end.
Thank you, my friend.
And thank you, Denis.
To be human is such a magical and wild ride.
LSOO is at this point is more of pastor of unknown religion, preaching teachings of humbleness and humanity.
@@ashkuigp indeed. He’s leading his own ministry
Yupp, that's how it usually goes.. 😭😆
@@ashkuigp His narration is masterful and thought provoking on a different level. This video is one of his best.
Great great comment. Thanks for this!
"What's your favorite Denis Villeneuve film?"
Arrival.
don't even have to think about that answer.
that is one of the most powerful films ever made.
i cant even think about it or see these little clips in this video from it without it hitting me.
Omggg sameee. Arrival is both so revealing and soothing
I have the same reaction. But in my case, it's "Incendies".
Amen 🙏🏻
First time I watched Arrival, I was only moderately invested... But the ending changed everything, working backwards to retroactively create a masterpiece.
Second time I watched Arrival (first viewing for my gf), I started crying right from the first "flashback"(flashforward?) scenes... My gf was thinking "geeze, it's a sad backstory, but not enough to care or cry about..."
I told her she just didn't understand yet.
By the end of the film she was bawling, and completely understood
I think I don´t have any favourite Villenueve´s film. I like all of them, some a little more and some a little less. If I had to choose, I would choose "Polytechnique", "Incendies", "Prisioners", "Arrival", but the rest of them I like a lot.
A different director would be content with adapting Dune "just" as an epic journey and call it a day. Denis however, is just setting the stage for the future terrifying Paul. Part two? Can't wait for Messiah I say, the dread he is going to film in that one should be one for the ages.
Yeah, i really want to see Part two, with the Fremens and the rise of Muad'Dib, but want i REALLY want to see is Villeneuve's take on Messiah, the despair and decadence of the world built in the first movies/book is something incredible.
This is why I can’t wait two years. The aerial bombardment on Atreides by the Harkonnen is eerily similar to the shock and awe attack on Baghdad in 2003.
The second part is Paul walking into the desert with the Fremen. At that moment you can get a sense of the significance and that the war is actually starting at that moment. Paul made the terrible decision to embrace the Holy War.
I hope you're right. I seem to be one of the few people that didn't like Dune. I've decided to give it a second try, but the first time around I felt it was slow and boring and lacked what I love about the books. I felt the political tension was missing, the interpersonal relationships where downplayed, and I didn't get the same sense of the romanticised beauty of the desert the books gave me. All in all it didn't make me feel much of anything. But maybe it was just me, too high expectations maybe, or maybe I just wasn't in the right mood. Did the same thing with Arrival, hated it first time watching it but I liked it a lot more the second time. Either way, I really hope a part 2 will do it justice. From my first impression though I was sort of expecting part 2 to be a boring Paul and Chani romance with the holy war as a background, and since Princess Irulan was not in the first movie I was thinking they'd just get rid of her character altogether so they can have a happy ending for Paul and Chani. Hope I'm wrong though.
@@daniel4647 The reality is that Dune should be like Game of Thrones. It should be 8 one to two hour shows on HBO or Netflix. The directors can’t go into this much detail. Considering the subject matter Villenauve did an excellent job.
At least he didn’t turn out a clusterfXxx that was the Lynch version.
The Sci Fy version was far better than Lynches version but lacked enough diversity in that here you have a desert planet with no people of color. This movie fixes that. But the budget for the Sci fy version made it look like a High School play. The costumes were ridiculous and lacked any precision and the performances were excellent with some solid actors. But that show could have been much better.
@@MHiggins My thoughts were the same; that it would have been better as the series of a show. As it was no sooner were many of the characters or aspects of the setting introduced - deftly but briefly - than they were often dead, destroyed, or in the past. You didn't really get a feeling for it. Unlike for example some of the characters in Squid Game. Additionally they could have better managed the pacing that way, as I felt that in terms of audience emotion and dramatic arc, the movie should have ended sooner, but for the fact they wanted to reach a point where they could do something of a time gap.
Man, the script for this video was SO DAMN STRONG, kudos! I was deeply moved towards the end, which is precisely the sort of overwhelming emotion I feel after watching a Villeneuve film. I walked into the theater to watch Sicario when it opened solely based on what writers I like said about it, but I'm really glad I stumbled upon someone who, years later, directed a Blade Runner film which blew me away (as a die-hard fan of the original and the novel) and then a larger-than-life version of Dune, one of the great sci-fi sagas ever published.
Your videos are incredible. Keep up the good work and stay real.
I have similar experiences. Denis Villeneuve films are visual masterpieces. For me they must be seen on the best screen possible. I saw Dune in a true IMAX theatre. Wow. Wow. Wow.
Denis Villeneuve is my favorite director. His movies are "different" than most Hollywood movies, and that is the beauty of his directing. He also tends to bring out the best of every actor he works with. Every time I hear about a new movie directed by Denis, I cannot wait to watch it because I know I will be satisfied.
I never knew who he was until Dune, but I realized I had seen almost all his movies and loved them all, him and Christopher Nolan are tied as my all time favorites
@@SuperJvolt have you seen incendies and polytechnique as well? some of his best work.
this is what happens when an artist can pursue their vision and not be led down money grubbing rabbit holes and franchises. He's super talented of course which helps. Unfortunately hollywood investors like to bank on "sure thing" franchises and existing guaranteed audiences so we don't get a lot of original block buster content.
@@SuperJvolt I feel the same way!
IDK about "not money grubbing. I think he embraces the "darkness" of the Hollywood machine, as a necessity. I suspect he's going through the same journey as his main characters. Not that he likes it, but he has to wade through it to get somewhere. If he thought it could be transcended, he would make very different movies. I felt conflicted about Blade Runner 2049, because while the original has tragic elementd, it's summed up by "like tears in the rain" speech. Very meaningful. Roy was redeemed at his death. 2049 left me tired, thoughtful, but sad. I'm kind of apprehensive about Dune part 2. I don't think there's shame in wanting a happy ending. Certainly LSoO always ends hopefully!
Dune was a masterpiece in both cinematography and storytelling. Someone other than Villeneuve would have created a star wars/star trek copypaste movie, he set up the stage for an epic coming-of-age story, with high stakes and a protagonist with just the right amount of darkness in him, and who does NOT shy away from the darkness, but will be forced to embrace it at some point, sacrificing his essence on the altar of victory, and becoming what his mother and her sisterhood think he is destined to be. Can't wait for part 2.
My problem with it is that it feels way too much like a setup to the next one. And the the interpretation our host here has was presented in the movie way to subtly to make me wonder about it when I got out of the theater, and it's kind of cool to hear new interpretations to art, but I feel it would have added a lot more to the experience if the film itself was a little bit clearer with it's message while watching watching it.
@@brandonmorel2658 that is true, but the story itself develops in the first movie on its own, it's not a truly "empty" movie like so many whose only purpose is setting up for a sequel. Besides "part 2" is already greenlit so we will get to see it
@@brandonmorel2658
Agreed. I wanted to love the film, but it left me fairly cold. The books, however...read them so many times the covers fell off.
@@brandonmorel2658 Not sure if it's too subtle when the climax of the 3rd act is he struggling to not kill one of his dream guides, and then breaking what he thought was a clear prophecy.
@@CanalTremocos When i first saw it, I thought it was him fulfilling that prophecy. The voices in his head were telling him that he had to die to become muab dib, I interpreted like he had to die metaphorically, like if he accepted to become The Messiah, Paul had to die by killing the Nigerian guy and be reborn. Thinking about it some time later, the grandiosity interpretation does fit this film.
The fact that his movies go so deep into the topics of psychology and philosophy is what makes him so different. Psychology and philosophy are what I see as my biggest interests in life and his movies just pick up on my interests. This man is a mastermind and together with Kurt Cobain one of the most interesting personalities in pop culture. In the superficial and shallow world we live in, it is great to still see such deep personalities
I think this resonates with your essay on nature. Chaos is just as natural, and we have to find a way to live in harmony with it. It is an awesome power you shouldn't fight without facing dire consequences. Doing the best with what you have by moving forward is the heroic ideal.
Blade Runner moves me so deeply. My favorite, for sure. Had a lot of fun in Dune as well too.
One of my favorite UA-camrs talking about one of my favorite directors. Gotta say, good start to my day!
Amazing insight that I never considered about my newest favourite director.
You've made me appreciate his work even more.
I wonder what Villeneuve would think of your analysis. Bravo, friend.
When I had heard this guy was doing Dune, I was stunned. For the longest time, it felt like everything happening in the world didn't make sense, but for once, things did, and I'm happy for that.
Favorite UA-camr on my favorite director. Perfect.
This was my favorite video of your so far, almost made me tear up at the end there. What a great comparative and thematic study of Villeneuve's philosophy as exposed in his films. Really connected some dots for me, and made me appreciate even more deeply the beauty and uniqueness of Villeneuves movies. Keep it up Tom, love your stuff!
A friend and fellow film buff pointed out the Villeneuve benefits greatly from the expert skills of cinematographer *Roger Deakins* and upon further review, I concur.
Roger is the best but he didn’t do Dune.
@@paulatreides0777 This was pretty much my only critique of Dune. In most aspects, the film is superlative, but he could have benefitted from Deakins.
Yep, and maybe 'cuz am not a 'yuge' Villeneuve fan, but that Dune is often criticized for the cinematography (among other thangs), it kinda shows how weak '2049' woulda really been if Deakins hadn't been behind the lens.
@@dasein47 Greig Fraser did a fantastic job as he has for Rogue One, Foxcatcher, Zero Dark Thirty and Lion. He's up there with Roger Deakins but in a much more spackled realism sense with his cinematography. Greig is able to do scale and grandiosity for bigger films in that his experience of that makes it more believable, whereas Deakins is a better focus cinematographer. Dune is about scale and human condition, BR2049 is about memories and the human condition in a desolate world. Two different perspectives.
@@IndySidhu88 Interesting perspective, which gives me pause and makes me reconsider. Thanks for chiming in!
Thank you so much for making this and other videos.
I cannot begin to tell you how much this resonated with and moved me.
You are doing humanity a great service, this was 33 minutes of poetry for the soul
For many years, I've thought of messianism as the impulse that someone else will come and save us. But only recently, this last season, I've been forced to think of it not only like that, but also in the self-aggrandizing sense that, "*I* will save us all." It's just as problematic, but in a very different kind of way that I had not expected.
Indeed, the only person you have any hope of saving is yourself. Even this is a hill too high for most to climb. You can either: 1) accept the way things are (e.g. how you react to people, your anxieties, depressions, pain), 2) try and change your behaviour/personality (often, an impossible and relentless task) or 3) live in a world of denial, never moving forward, stuck wishing things were different, yet never making them so. Option 3 is the hardest and yet, its the path most take because who wants to accept their mortality and meaninglessness? But the truth (i.e. acceptance) will set you free.
@@skullsaintdead You have a lot of presuppositions in your conclusions, and I'm not quite sure your articulations are necessarily what Michael was going for. There are a lot of issues with messianism and the conclusions you draw of the former have to do with in which paradigm you operate. Paul for example was set up to be a "messiah" for Arrakis by the Bene Gesserit far in advance for his arrival, because they were looking to manipulate the Kwisatz Haderach after 10,000 years of genetic manipulation. We enter into a perception vs reality situation and what I'll call a "behavioral allowance". The Fremen see Paul as a "savior" which in turn sets loose Jihad's across known space. Do saviors allow / enable / cause people to enact great evil in their name (behavior which is already there they just need an excuse for I would argue), or how much do you divorce the actions of an ideological follower vs it's leader?
I would generally agree with the basic premise of, "The only person you have control over, and sometimes not even as much as we'd like, is yourself," however.
@@HandlesAreStupid2024 Yeah, I haven't seen the new film, only going on what I remember of approx. 2/3rds of Lynch's (frankly, I got bored and in the copy I had, the quality was poor). I'm sort of talking more broadly, about how people are drawn to seek out things/feelings that will make them feel better immediately (messiahs, religions, denial) but will destroy them in the long run. We're at a funny place in evolution, we know that we will die and have survived effectively by fearing death, yet we're terrified of our mortality to the point of conjuring up gods and saviours, all of which are simple constructs of men trying to avoid meaninglessness. But accepting life has no intrinsic meaning isn't so bad, you can create meaning in your own life, with no need for external forces 'guiding' (manipulating) you into their path.
The problem is less that and more that we actively crave & seek out saviors; at worst we become slaves to it, amd try creating them from anyone
Each one of us is a hero/heroine in our own movie. The exit sign is over there, lighting the way to oblivion. Now, back to the movie. . .
Man that outro was beautiful man!
Had me in tears. Well done, you really captured the existentialist feel of Denis' works
This was excellent and very well edited. The way some movie scenes matched to monologue of other movies was perfect
for me his movies get vbetter each time i watch them, that has given his work a special place in my heart and mind. esepcially true for blade runner, one of my favourite movies of all time
You are such a skilled and humble editor and storyteller that I find it difficult to express my gratitude for being able to experience your work. Astonishing stuff.
Damn. I'm a tired writer, and I find listening to your various installments profoundly soothing. Your voice perfectly suits your scripts. Unhurried, moving with the desirable inexorability of song, your insights, so thoughtfully and honestly presented, with a genuine humility perishingly rare of late - they are nothing short of a sovereign specific to the deep fatigue which daily bites at my hopes, for a voice within this troubled species of ours.
After seeing Dune I found myself looking forward to your breakdown of Dune, I realize this isn't about Dune but still very good.
I like to look at this as a loop. it starts with the Dune books, which Denis read in his teenage years. You can see how it inspired him and the ideas it sparked. He explored and refined those ideas and themes throughout his career, finding the essence of it. It culminates in him getting to adapt the book he loves so much, Dune, into a cinematic masterpiece. Seeing what pieces of the story he includes and how he portrays them, shines a big light on what's important to him and the themes that stuck with him from the books. This film could easily look very different, focus on the spectacle. Yet he brilliantly highlights and establishes the nuances and intricacies of the plot, the different people and how they tie together in this complicated spiderweb.
He has said he wanted to be a mature enough director in the science fiction genre, before tackling Dune. So he did Arrival and Blade Runner as prep. Lol.
I’ve come to think of LSOO as the Denis Villeneuve of UA-cam media analysis.
“We are the false messiahs of our own stories.” Brilliant! To me that’s exactly who we we humans are. Visible everywhere one looks, in every larger scale action ,every larger scale reaction.
Absolutely Spectacular.
This documentary is a masterpiece in itself. Emotive, philosophical and ultimately truthful in every sense.
Sicario is one of my favorite movies ever. I watch it at least 2-3 times a year
Absolutely amazing video! Just wonderfully done! I needed to see this video; I’m going through a similar stage of my life as these film protagonists. It’s a difficult pill to swallow, not being able to control the chaos and having to acknowledge my helplessness in its presence. I hope and pray I’m able to fully embrace it and not only live, but thrive, as these characters do in their own respective endings.
This made me decide to watch all of Villeneuve’s films in order. Amazing video
Sand people, sand people, aliens, robots that live near sand, sand people on other planets.
This channel is like an ongoing inter-disciplinary Harvard course on mankind.
I just love this idea of the battle between our conscious and unconscious selves and what happens next being the crux of the story, which Villeneuve wants to show.
I think what I also love about Denis’ films is that he doesn’t make judgments about people. He doesn’t say “this is how you should have managed the situation” or “you were wrong to think this” he just allows the characters to go through their own journeys and learn to cope with the hand that is dealt them. Louise doesn’t judge Ian in Arrival. She doesn’t say “he was wrong to not believe in his daughter” she just says “I told him something he wasn’t ready to hear.” It’s a very sympathetic and sensitive statement which casts no blame or guilt upon her husband. Many modern films believe you have to root for one character against another, or you won’t be ‘engaged’. I think watching the journey of a person coming to terms with their own fallibility & learning to find hope again out of chaos is a far more ‘engaging’ story.
As a French Canadian I appreciate your prononciation of Denis Villeneuve's name I groan at American prononciation and laugh at Google maps voice pronouncing French street names.
Ça prend bien un européen (ici un hollandais, je crois) pour savoir comment prononcer les mots d'une autre langue...
Agree 100 percent, and I - of all people - sure known what I'm talking about! ;- )
@@hubertvilleneuve5852 a Video about the director of dune
And you of all people wachin
Written by Frank herbert and directed by denis Villeneuve
This editing and video is absolutely well done!
Once again, an absolute marvel of an essay, incredible.
Your videos not only give me a better understanding of film and it's creators, philosophically speaking, as they make me feel something.
Keep it up, you are a gem.
felt a lil bit hopeless about life lately and this video showed up on my youtube suggestion. i cried at the end. and reminded once again to embrace the harshness of life. thank you for this.
One of the best in-depth videos I have ever seen. Clear, straight-forward, interesting, entertaining, insightful.
Wow, this was a truly revelatory analysis, congrats! I think you really managed to untangle something about this amazing filmography. And it’s wonderful how you manage to weave the macro and micro levels of Villeneuve’s films together in a coherent way.
Also, I realized part of my love for Villeneuve might stem from the fact that he seems to make movies about the Samwise Gamgees of the world in a way:))
This video literally solidified Villneuve as my favorite modern director. Quality content and i’m here for it 😤
Your deep, emotional, human reflections on the meaning and poetic communication of it's message never fail to bring me to tears.
Tom, man you have created art
You have opened my eyes, now I do see...
This is an absolutely beautiful and insightful analysis of one of the best filmmakers out there. My eyes were welling up by the end.
Words can't describe how wonderful your videos are, man. Always a journey. Incredible work on this one
Thank you for making this essay, it meant a lot to me. I’ve been fans of denis villeneuve work since i see sicario in theater and never missed his work since then.
I found this insightful in addition to being beautifully edited and articulated. Thank you for taking the time and care to craft something of this quality and share it with us.
Absolutely beautiful analysis. Villeneuve is a gift.Thank you so much for this video
Great video. You had me in tears at the end.
We want desperately to be liked, loved, and in control of our lives; and intentional, overt, human hostility and aggression-more than anything else in life-assaults our self-image, our sense of control, our sense of the world as a meaningful and comprehensible place, and, ultimately, our mental and physical health. Lt. Col. Dave Grossman "On killing"
In my opinion, this discribed very well the innermost motive in Villeneuves movies.
You've just made all these films that I already loved even better. Beautiful work.
Thank you so much for giving me another reason to enjoy Villeneuve's impact with Dune when I see it in the cinema next week.
I've watched this 3 times now because I feel like the central point is so important that I want to make absolutely sure I learn from it. Thank you so much for this, for giving words to something that the films are good at making you feel, but which is not simple at all to describe. You're a very thoughtful and accessible creator.
My favourite video essayist talking about my favourite working director...what could I ask for more?
Hey man, can you talk about *immortality* in stories, next?? I've always wanted to know how an actual immortal would of think of humanity, after basically living with "us" for generations. Living through men's wars, peace, suffering and evolution. Like, if an immortal that have lived for millennia said he/she had lost faith in humanity, what would be your response? How do you argue with someone that literally has WAY MORE experience than you could ever have about such a subject? Could make a great video, honestly.
Have you seen The Man From Earth? :)
@@LikeStoriesofOld I've actually did. A pretty good film, might I add. It's just not *"cynical"* enough, if that makes sense. I'm not saying I want to be mentally destroyed, but I honestly expected *some* level of doubt, especially after seeing so much for such a long time.
@@LikeStoriesofOld I love "The Man From Earth"! Such a great movie! Too bad for the sequel though...
Im not sure if the record of time is even being kept in heaven.
@@LikeStoriesofOld I like the perspective "Only Lovers Left Alive" has. It's sort of a meditation on immortality almost. Like, how do you live a life that interacts with society over time, but without ever giving away this crucial freakish detail about yourself. What do you come to appreciate? It's sort of sad without being pessimistic?
A beautiful and unique perspective. Thank you.
I think you might want to consider Villeneuve is a Jungian more than a Freudian. I don’t think the films are actually concentrating on repression and the familial/sexual. I think his concentration of dreams has to do with what Heidegger would call the transcendent imagination. The message “Dreams are messages from the deep” is more Jungian than Freudian.
My first Villeneuve movie was Enemy, I loved it so much as a film buff, it made me think for days and days. It’s still to this day my favourite movie. I never get excited to show it to people though because a lot don’t see the point of the movie. Every once in a while though I get to watch someone get obsessed with it and go down the same Dennis Villeneuve rabbit hole I did
Wow! That's a wonderful piece. On Grandiosity, my favorite quotation from Dune is the following:
“Greatness is a transitory experience. It is never consistent. It depends in part upon the myth-making imagination of humankind. The person who experiences greatness must have a feeling for the myth he is in. He must reflect what is projected upon him. And he must have a strong sense of the sardonic. This is what uncouples him from belief in his own pretensions. The sardonic is all that permits him to move within himself. Without this quality, even occasional greatness will destroy a man.”
My favourite video essayist talking about my favourite director, who's made some of my favourite films. What a treat! Excellent work as always, Denis Villenueve has such a distinct voice and aesthetic, his movies will be talked about for decades to come im sure. Id be hard pressed to chose between his movies, but Sicario left a huge impact on me so I'd probably say that.
One of the best filmmakers of our time
"You made me feel so safe" In Prisoners really hits me.
As somebody whos in charge of a family, not being able to protect them always or defend them when the time comes it must be a horrible sensation, i can't imagine to belive what effect it takes to a father.
Clicked as soon as i saw this channel and even faster bcuz of Denis Villeneuve.
Your videos are a gift to humanity
What an incredible director!! A beautiful perspective on Sci-Fi stories.
This gentleman has a gift. I love his presentation, and dedication and clear emotional connection to the content he’s discussing. I always get chills and am in awe
Wow. Enemy is my favorite movie, and I love discovering new essays and yours is by far the best I've came across. Well done.
Your video essays are excellent. Clear content, powerful narrative style, skilful editing. Thanks.
26:08 Yes, this is why I love Denis’s films! After watching his films this sentiment always hits me
"You will face insoluble problems that will lead to other equally insoluble problems" This quote from Incendies is actually a perfect description of what his characters (and the spectator) go through in every single one of his films.
You're videos are great and your commentary is very moving. They're helping me get through this life.
I can honestly say that this is the only channel on UA-cam which have given me actual insight about oneself, and about the world.
“To be evenminded is the greatest virtue. Wisdom is to speak the truth and act in keeping with its nature.” - Heraclitus
“You have power over your mind - not outside events. Realize this and you will find strength.” - Marcus Aurelius
Always love the Stoics
You’re one hell of a guy. As always, thank you and God bless.
Thanks so much for your thoughtful and thought provoking essays. You influenced me to watch "Arrival" and "The Fountain" (Aronofsky). Now planning a deeper dive into Villeneuve's films, per your commentary. Discovered "Dune" in the mid 70s, as a teenager, and have read Herbert's novels countless times over the years. I am pleased with Villeneuve's "Dune", very difficult book(s) to bring to the screen.
I’ve yet to watch this video but I already hope you mention Incendies in it. An absolute masterpiece of a movie, one amongst my top three favorites. I love Denis’ high budget international productions but Incendies will forever have a special place in my heart and I wish people talked more about it.
Well this essay was as exciting, heartbreaking, thought-provoking and beautiful as a human life itself. I think about your own internal journey in creating this. And I thank you.
My favourite film by Denis is Dune. Being a super fan of the books, it’s well known that making a movie that does the epic justice has been notoriously difficult. Denis pulled it off, and I’m not surprised. His biggest strength is that he understands humans on a level far deeper than most would care to venture.
Brilliant and so deep 👏makes one reflect as an INFJ I'm glued to the way your video express these views and our connections between ourselves and story telling be it I it's multitudes of art forms. Also throwing am idea out there maybe at some point if you would do a video of connecting cinema,stories it's characters to the different briggs myers personalities. Anyway keep up the amazing work !
this was quite the beautiful piece on Villeneuve and the insights you offer are wonderful to consider. Thank you
I just finished watching all of Villeneuve's films to finally see this. Remarkable work. Great editing, great story. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this video.
I think that you read more into a filmmaker's work than they even intend, but I love you for it. Another beautiful and meaningful addition to your great work. Prisoners is the one I like best, and Fincher or Nolan for your next episodes.
you my friend, are a great storyteller. At 2:43 you sent shivers down my spine and I felt the inspiration to continue with my writing. Well done Sir!
Another excellent video, well written, voiced and edited. Well done.
Thanks for peeling back some concepts that I didn’t quite grasp consciously. So interesting
I appreciate how your videos always make me feel profoundly human. It really is something to feel.
Just want to say I sincerely appreciate how eloquently you disassemble and bring forth the key themes of Villeneuve’s films. I thoroughly enjoyed this video and the time it must have taken to put it together.
I feel like your work perfectly complements Max Derrat’s take on video games as vessels for meaningful concepts of narrative, circumscribing the intricacies of human consciousness.
❤️❤️❤️
This was such a powerful analysis of themes I have grappled with myself. Phenomenal work
Your content always has great editing and is generally well put together but most importantly, it's very thoughtful.
This was obviously no exception. I appreciated it a great deal. Thank you.
your videos are so well done I always end up crying by the end
you are an incredible story teller of story telling! deciphering the inner worlds and intentions of a truly great storymaker. thank you:)
This is your greatest video. Extremely thoughtful. Well done.
this is so beautiful. Denis is so awesome. You're so awesome. I'm crying.
How is it possible that you always produce such beautiful and emotionally charged videos? Cheers, friend!
Your best story yet! Thank you!!