(Los Angeles) Dunes was selected 10 times, but, to everyone’s surprise, the name of Denis Villeneuve did not appear in the category of best director. The main interested party, once the brief twinge in the heart has passed, is preparing to live his fifth Oscar ceremony in complete serenity.
Posted at 7:00 a.m.
For Denis Villeneuve, the Oscars evening will take on the appearance of the end of an adventure, a way of really moving on to the next stage. Along with the obligations related to the promotion of Dune-1D part, the Quebec filmmaker has of course begun the pre-production of the second part of his film adaptation of Frank Herbert’s novel. If the last month of the awards season, which ends with the Oscars, was exhilarating, it was also very exciting.
“Since the launch of Dunes at the Venice Film Festival, I would say promoting the film was a full-time job,” the filmmaker explained to The Press, during a reception held Thursday at the official residence of the Consul General of Canada in Los Angeles. We toured Europe, the United States, and I did everything possible in terms of panels and Q&A sessions. Now I feel relaxed, because after Oscars night I’m going to be on radio silence for quite a while. »
Short-sighted decision…
With other filmmakers, Jane Campion and Steven Spielberg in particular, Denis Villeneuve strongly denounced the decision taken by the Academy to present 8 of the 23 trophies one hour before the start of the broadcast of the ceremony and to present on TV a montage in which viewers will be able to see part of the thanks of these winners. Remember that the three categories devoted to short films as well as those devoted to sound, editing, make-up and hairstyles, musical score and artistic direction (in which Quebecer Patrice Vermette is in the running) will not be entitled to their moment of glory live. Dunes is also selected in five of these eight categories…
PHOTO PROVIDED BY WARNER BROS. PICTURES
Denis Villeneuve and Timothée Chalamet on the set of Dunesnominated in 10 categories at the Oscars
“After this announcement, there were a lot of discussions, calls, letters, petitions, underlines Denis Villeneuve. Many private conversations also took place, and the Academy management was very receptive. Generalist TV is in decline, and the Academy is under enormous pressure from the broadcaster. I suspect that big changes will come, but they should not come at the expense of the basic idea, which is to highlight artists who work in the shadows. I think that’s a big mistake, but, well, now let’s see what the show is going to look like. »
And after Dunes ?
Getting ready to shoot the second part of Dunes over the next few months, for a release scheduled for October 20, 2023 in North America, Denis Villeneuve is hesitant to say if this second part will constitute an end or if he then intends to carry out others.
PHOTO GEORGE PIMENTEL FOR THE CANADIAN CONSULATE IN LOS ANGELES
Denis Villeneuve intends to take advantage of this weekend devoted to the Oscars.
I have difficulty projecting myself into the future right now. These films require two or three years of work. They are big monsters. The People of Legendary Pictures [la société de production] and Warner Bros. see it all in the long term, but I’m going one film at a time.
Denis Villeneuve
“I could conceive of possibly doing a third part, but I might do another film in between, different. It would do me good in my mind to perhaps move on to something else. »
In the meantime, Denis Villeneuve intends to take advantage of this moment of “relaxation” that constitutes this weekend devoted to the Oscars, especially since, if Dunes will no doubt get a few golden statuettes in more technical categories, it is rarely mentioned among the favorites to win the Oscar for best picture.
“In fact, I’m relieved and relaxed,” adds the filmmaker. I have no particular apprehensions or anxiety in relation to Sunday. I’m pretty calm because at this stage, we can’t do anything more. Alea jacta is! »