Culture news The Harkonnen planet in Dune 2 is black and white and there’s a logical reason for that!
In Dune 2, certain captivating scenes stand out for their aesthetic and one of them surely caught your attention: the planet of the Harkonnens is in black and white. If you don’t understand, don’t panic! Denis Villeneuve, the director, revealed the origin and meaning of this atypical artistic decision.
1 month after the release of the latest sci-fi masterpiece, Dune 2, the community continues to find answers to the film’s mysteries. One thing is certain, some scenes stand out in a striking way due to their unique aesthetic. Among them, one surely caught your attention: the planet of the Harkonnens presented entirely in black and white. If this artistic decision may seem disconcerting at first, don’t panic! In an interview given to MovieFonedirector Denis Villeneuve shares several aspects of the making of the film, including these sequences, providing fascinating insight into his artistic vision and creative process.
Why Giedi Prime is black and white in Dune 2
In Dune 2, director Denis Villeneuve made an unusual artistic decision by transforming the Harkonnen’s planet, Giedi Prime, into a black and white world. Inspired by Frank Herbert’s book, Villeneuve explored the idea that sunlight could reveal deep aspects of the psyches of the characters who populate this planet. He also explains in his interview:
For Giedi Prime, there is less information in the book and it is a world that is disconnected from nature.
Using an ARRI Alexa LF IMAX camera modified to capture in infraredVilleneuve and his cinematographer, Greig Fraser, created a unique visual aesthetic that gives Giedi Prime an eerie and distinct appearance.
The impact of the black and white Giedi Prime sequence
This choice to present Giedi Prime in black and white in Dune 2 is logical for Denis Villeneuve. Indeed, it has a significant impact on the visual and narrative experience of the film. Through this distinctive aesthetic, the audience is immersed in a world that seems alien and hostile, emphasizing the dark and brutal atmosphere associated with the Harkonnens.
I thought it might be interesting if sunlight could give us a glimpse into their psyche.
In addition, this sequence allows a better understanding of the motivations and beliefs of the characters who inhabit this planet, thus offering a deeper perspective on the political and moral issues of the Dune universe. Ultimately, the sequence reinforces the dichotomy between good and evil, while emphasizing the role of the Harkonnens as the undisputed antagonists of the story.