After wowing Venice, 'Dune' set for China release

By Zhang Rui
0 Comment(s)Print E-mail China.org.cn, September 8, 2021
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On Sept. 2, the cast and crew of the much-anticipated sci-fi epic "Dune" held the first online press conference in Beijing, before the film was met with an eight-minute standing ovation after its showing at the Venice International Film Festival.

A still image shows Dr. Wellington Yueh played by actor Chang Chen. [Photo courtesy of Legendary East]

"Dune" is the first Hollywood sci-fi blockbuster for Taiwan-based Chinese actor Chang Chen, who stars in the film as Dr. Wellington Yueh, a physician who serves the aristocratic family of the protagonist. Chang said his character is a "struggling and tragic" figure.

"I wanted to deliver the critical struggle of this character. The character is tragic, there is a struggle in his heart, but he is also full of mystery. I paid a lot of attention to the role's psychological aspect," he said. 

Director Denis Villeneuve and several of his cast members hold an online press conference in Beijing, Sept. 2, 2021. [Photo courtesy of Legendary East]

Adapted from the 1965 sci-fi novel by American writer Frank Herbert, the saga portrays a future feudal interstellar society in which various noble families rule planetary fiefdoms. A winner of the Hugo Award and Nebula Award for outstanding science fiction, the "Dune" series is widely considered to be one of the greatest science fiction novels of all time, and is frequently cited as the best-selling science fiction novel of all time. It inspired several sci-fi motion picture classics such as "Star Wars," "Alien" and "Avatar." The upcoming film adaptation will only cover the first half of the first book.

Director Denis Villeneuve said he had been fascinated by the novel since he was child and felt that its profound themes, ecosystem and philosophy are relevant to everyone. The director, who also integrated Chinese elements into his previous sci-fi epic "Arrival," added he was very impressed by Chinese culture which had a big impact on him after a trip to the country when he was young.

A Chinese poster for the sci-fi epic "Dune." [Photo courtesy of Legendary East]

The film's stars Timothee Chalamet and Rebecca Ferguson also appeared via video link at the Beijing event. Chalamet said it was a dream come true for him to star as protagonist Paul Atreides. Atreides, a brilliant and gifted young man born with a destiny beyond his understanding, must travel to the most dangerous planet in the universe to ensure the future of his family and his people. 

Ferguson plays Atreides' mother who trains Atreides to not just protect himself but, also his faith. She also encouraged young people not to just accept the status quo, and always ask questions.

Sirena Liu, the CEO of Legendary East, the China subsidiary of Legendary Entertainment, confirmed that the Chinese mainland will import the film but the release date has not been set. She noted that "Dune" will be the first film of the Dune Universe franchise and more films will be coming. The film will release in Europe on Sept. 15 and in U.S. theaters and on HBO Max on Oct. 22.

Caption: Javier Bardem, Zendaya, Stellan Skarsgard, Chang Chen, Oscar Isaac, Sharon Duncan-Brewster, Timothee Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, director Denis Villeneuve, Dave Bautista and Josh Brolin pose for group photo while attending the "Dune" premiere as part of the 78th Venice International Film Festival in Venice, Italy, Sept. 3, 2021. [Photo courtesy of Legendary East]

The movie premiered Friday night at the Venice International Film Festival, and has already received rave reviews. Critic Robbie Collin of the UK's Daily Telegraph called it "Science-fiction at its most majestic, unsettling and enveloping," while Xan Brooks with the Guardian praised it by saying "Dune reminds us what a Hollywood blockbuster can be." A Chinese journalist under the account name of "ToroScope" on Sina Weibo said the film must be seen on IMAX and that the director has created "new kind of sci-fi experience" and "immersive epic" with the film. He went on to predict this would be "the most stunning" sci-fi series of the upcoming decade.  

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