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On the Philosophy of ‘Dune: Half Two’ – Energy, Management, Destiny & Love
by Alex Billington March 14, 2024
“Contemplate what you might be about to do, Paul Atreides…” Be cautious of the trail you might be headed down, Muad’Dib… As with the 2 greatest films of final 12 months (Barbie & Oppenheimer), the largest film of 2024 to this point can be a particularly dense, philosophically compelling, morally complicated work of cinematic artwork. It is exhilarating and interesting to ponder its epic story of management over the planet Arrakis, and much more thrilling realizing that audiences are consuming this up. Even when the philosophical concepts might not land as deeply with every viewer, it is proof that really believing in moviegoers as good folks is definitely the precise path to take these days. Dune: Half Two is taking part in in theaters worldwide and after watching it 3 times on the cinema, I have to dig into its philosophical aspect. The obvious themes are energy & management, together with destiny & future. Nevertheless, it additionally makes me marvel a few greater quandary: what does it actually take to overthrow an oppressor and is there really a profitable strategy to obtain peace & freedom for all? Or will it all the time result in extra oppression?
One necessary notice earlier than occurring – I’ve not learn Frank Herbert’s books. I’m aware of the place the story goes and the final concepts inside the books, nevertheless my ideas on this article are primarily based totally on what we’re proven in Denis Villeneuve’s two films. Dune: Half Two is tailored by Denis Villeneuve together with sci-fi screenwriter Jon Spaihts. I additionally agree with this level made in Clint Gage’s editorial on Dune: Half Two and the variations from the e book printed on IGN: “The larger philosophical level about diversifications although is that they need to be totally different… Villeneuve and Spaihts wrote the 2 components of Dune with a watch on the previous and future that may make the Kwisatz Haderach proud, by adapting the supply materials by way of house, time and a dose of spice.” Even when there are particular philosophical concepts introduced up or defined within the books, my dialog relies purely on what Villeneuve and Spaihts have chosen to indicate on display, and the way Paul’s arc progresses over these two films to this point. In fact, I am aware of the place it leads with Paul (it ain’t good) which jogs my memory to point that there can be full-on spoilers from right here on out. Clearly.
Dune: Half Two continues a contemporary sci-fi pattern the place it asks a complete bunch of intriguing questions, brings up loads of fascinating concepts and considerations for viewers to ponder, whereas refusing to supply extra clear or helpful solutions to those considerations, or an optimistic path to observe (in our actual world or imaginations). It goes with out saying (however I will say it anyway) that our planet will not be in place proper now – with wars and tumult and troubles on practically each final continent. An epic sci-fi film like this, whereas clearly primarily based on books that have been impressed by the oil-obsessed days of the Fifties & 60s, is commenting on our life as people on Planet Earth and is telling a narrative that we are able to relate to as we battle for freedom and peace – simply as Paul & Chani do within the first half of Half Two. Nevertheless, as a lot because it is likely to be story about Fremen combating again on Arrakis, it turns into one thing else and turns into a cautionary story. Sadly this implies it isn’t a information for the right way to obtain peace and equality. And lots of the philosophical concepts in it are questions somewhat than solutions. I can not present definitive solutions both, however I’m nonetheless enticed by the questions anyway.
The 2 principal philosophical themes discovered inside Dune: Half Two are: destiny / future, your chosen path as a person, how a lot management you could have over it, and the way a lot you simply ought to succumb to and observe it. Together with energy / management, the obsessive pursuit of it, the “calculus” of energy (as referred to in a line of dialogue), and the way chasing energy may cause these pursuing it to lose all management or humility. The query of destiny and fatalism is most outstanding, a standard theme in lots of, many sci-fi movies. The Matrix can be about this very same philosophical conundrum as nicely. Does Neo have free will – even when he decides to depart his predestined path behind? What does free will even imply? Can he train that free will? Is he destined to change into “The One”, the hero of Zion and humanity? Can he resolve to change into that hero or not? What management does he have over his personal life if it’s a prophecy he’ll fulfill just by current? Paul Atreides offers with these sorts of heavy “hero” questions as nicely all through each of Villeneuve’s Dune films to this point. With an additional caveat thrown in – the Bene Gesserit: whispering & plotting & planning & controlling the galaxy for millennia. They “planted” him generations in the past and thus he does not have energy over his future. Or does he?
There may be one facet of Dune: Half Two that I have been arguing about ever since my very first watch. Viewers who’ve learn the books know he’s about to change into an evil “House Hitler-esque” oppressive chief within the subsequent story. “He’s not the great man!” they proclaim. “Will audiences perceive this?” Sure, after all, however he has to change into the unhealthy man first. On this film we solely see him confront the Emperor after consuming the blue water to achieve readability along with his visions. Within the ultimate act, he begins veering in the direction of being the evil bastard that he is destined (maybe? maybe not?) to change into. Due to the Bene Gesserit’s whispers & plans. Nevertheless, up till that second, up till he drinks the “worm piss”, he really is a “good man.” Actually. Take a more in-depth look once you watch Half Two once more. He refuses to go south understanding it can take him to a really unhealthy place. He fights for the Fremen, with the Fremen, adopting their beliefs and mindset. He expresses his want to assist them and be an instance of an necessary fighter, even when he’s killed, so the following era might observe in his footsteps. He needs to do good. He admires the Fremen and their methods. He’s making an attempt his hardest to not flip evil – however the Bene Gesserit get the very best of him and he falls for his or her whispers. And, nicely, the remaining is historical past…
That is when the film digs deeper into the darker aspect of the galaxy. My third viewing introduced a harrowing query to thoughts: Can somebody wield this a lot extraordinary energy (e.g. management over Spice) and be good? Or will they inevitably all the time be evil? Primarily, is oppression required in a way to efficiently exploit, promote, and handle a particularly priceless useful resource? That is the core of Dune: Half Two general. The opening phrase uttered on this darkish, guttural alien language earlier than the Warner Bros emblem comes up states: “Energy over Spice is energy over all.” Sure, which means that energy & management are intertwined, and there actually is not any strategy to management the Spice with out having method an excessive amount of energy (since it is a very important useful resource wanted for intergalactic house journey). There may be even a second on this film the place Paul quietly mutters that he’s not anxious about gaining management over Arrakis, he’s anxious about having an excessive amount of energy and this energy will corrupt him. Let’s not neglect the traditional quote: “Energy tends to deprave; absolute energy corrupts completely,” said by British historian Lord Acton. Even on Earth, it appears to be an absolute reality, thus prolonged into the Dune universe, it does make you marvel: is there actually any method Paul might achieve sufficient energy to free the Fremen and Arrakis and never be corrupted by that a lot energy? Herbert’s novels say: no.
These aware of the books know that the story is actually a breakdown of the savior trope, exhibiting there isn’t any practicality of an actual hero. It’s not possible for there to be a holy savior on Arrakis. The Fremen consider in a single, due to course, as Chani states in Half Two – the Bene Gesserit have planted this thought and it provides them some false hope to carry onto and look forward to. Even when meaning ready centuries. When you step again and look at Paul’s arc in Half Two, it actually is a good tragedy, akin to Shakespeare’s tragedies of nice males falling into spirals of despair & madness. One compelling response from a viewer on Twitter states: “Dune: Half Two has left me in creative euphoria, and in addition philosophical heartbreak. THAT is what true artwork is for. To remind us what it’s to be human.” Referring to what occurs as “philosophical heartbreak” is fascinating as a result of it is making an attempt to reckon with Paul’s nice wrestle on this film: try to avoid wasting the Fremen, take down the Emperor, change the galaxy without end; however to do this strategically he should marry the Emperor’s daughter, which implies betraying Chani, which implies betraying the Fremen. That is barely totally different from the e book, nevertheless it’s nonetheless an emotional wallop and fairly overwhelming once you sit by way of it for the primary time.
As spectacularly entertaining & superior as Dune: Half Two is as a sci-fi blockbuster, it is also chock stuffed with heavy feelings and interesting philosophical implications. I’m in awe of what I am seeing on display, whereas additionally in awe of all that’s racing by way of my thoughts as regards to the Fremen and their battle on Arrakis and the management of Spice. Within the first film, I liked seeing Paul rise to the decision to guide a revolution, taking place a path he was not anticipating to take. Within the second film, I am rocked by his flip, and the way his destiny appears to be out of his management, irrespective of how laborious he tries. I do not like this concept that our destiny is not ours to manage, very similar to Neo in The Matrix. Not like The Matrix, although, Paul’s path leads him to darkness it doesn’t matter what hope I’ve watching his story. The Emperor explains close to the tip that Duke Leto Atreides dominated from the center, and that made him “weak”, ergo he needed to be eradicated. I need Paul to rule from his coronary heart, to be a frontrunner who brings good to the galaxy. However maybe that isn’t attainable when half the folks on a planet look as much as you as a God. On the finish of this second film, we’re left questioning what is going to occur subsequent when Paul decides to start out a Holy Warfare in opposition to the opposite Homes of the galaxy. Alas, the books inform us his future is not one.
Chani is correct all alongside: “This ‘prophecy’ is how they enslave us!” Nobody needs to pay attention, or settle for it, however she is aware of the reality. Though she loves Paul and though she is aware of him nicely, the scary reality is that his path will lead them farther from the place they need to be, in the direction of even darker occasions for the Fremen. This tragic story continues to make me marvel: how will we really defeat oppressors and obtain peace and freedom for all? Can a violent revolution even end in peace in the long run? Or will it all the time result in extra warfare?
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