Elena Ortiz on Dune, settler colonialism, and White Saviour fantasies

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Red Power Hour recently reviewed Denis Villeneuve's Dune: Part Two. Check out the full episode by following the link at the end of the video.
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3 окт 2024

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Комментарии : 14

@kg30004 5 месяцев назад

It’s a direct critique of colonialism

@agrayday7816 5 месяцев назад

Dune is a critique of T.E. Lawrence and “western exploitation” of “the avatar power”. -Haris Durrani We’ve [“western man”] set out our missionaries to do our dirty work for us, and then come along behind them with the certain belief that we are right in anything that we do, because God has told us so - God and the person of the avatar. - Frank Herbert. There is a 1969 interview with Herbert and Willis E. McNelly about this very topic. Its worth seeking out.

@Joseph-ff4sz 5 месяцев назад

wish you two the best in your journey into the Dune series. As some folks have pointed out already (perhaps rudely), there is a lot more to the story than what has been shown on film so far. But one thing that is interesting... the fact that Dune is criticized for its white savior theme really slots home with the intention of the story. the white savior theme is a warning against the trope of a european descendant being the path to salvation for indigenous populations. The warning is apt, in that, they (the white man) weren't saving anyone, but actually they were looking to colonize. Dune is a similar warning against the idea of a whtie savior, except it extend the idea to ANY savior, not just white. So while the films show an actor of European descent, the books don't really specify the descent of house Atreides until the 4th book. At which point it is vaguely mentioned that they are of Greek descent... so not exactly European. More than that, the story being criticized for being a white savior means that it is being correctly and successfully told. Frank Herbert intended Dune to be a warning against charasmatic leaders, not an endorsement. But part of that story telling process means that you have a charasmatic leader character. The audience should feel like Paul is filling this savior arch and thus he incurs this criticism. With the third film unreleased, I would recommend you all peak at the beginning of the 2nd Dune book (to be third film). In the very first chapter, you will see that this "white savior" trope is immediately challenged.

@sashavergolini6737 5 месяцев назад

please try reading the books! this take is close to considering fight club a male chauvinist fantasy or american psycho a celebration of yuppie capitalism

@anonymousvigil3098 5 месяцев назад

Great example of how modern cinema often loses the plot to spectacle . Sad to see how the film version did not successfully portray the intent of the story. Paul is not a hero, he’s a weapon. I was not aware of Herbert’s homophobia. Sad. Anyway… love the content and discussion here. For those that are big mad about the interpretation…. It’s easy to see how anyone could come to these conclusions based on the imagery and focus of this film and the colonial representation and glorification we commonly see in media. Clearly these two beautiful nerds are currently and have been actively working to educate and protect something far more beautiful and significant to humanity than a FANTASY film review. Let’s keep that in mind, if we truly care to support meaningful action and dialogue. ❤

@Dorian_sapiens 5 месяцев назад

There are a few problems with the comments being posted here criticizing the video. One, the fact (if it even is a fact) that a book makes a certain point does not mean that a film adaptation of the book makes the same point. Two, anything that isn't _stated directly_ in the text (book, film, etc.) is subject to interpretation; any interpretation is valid to the extent that it doesn't contradict things _stated directly_ in the text ― not to the extent that it agrees with the popular consensus. Which is why, three, an author's (filmmaker's) stated intention is not relevant, if their intention doesn't come across to readers (viewers).

@benwilton6615 5 месяцев назад

The film adaptation did try to make the same point as the book. This is the main reason Chani, Zendaya's character, is different in the film to the book as stated by Denis Villenueve. In the book she is loyal to Paul and follows him relatively quickly as do the other Fremen. Denis Villenueve and the wirters for the film intentionally changed her character to try and show how much Paul changes by the end of the film, with Chani being the only Fremen to not fall into the indoctrination of Paul and his mother. Your point about the author and filmakers stated intent being irrelevant is something to consider, however when you look at how the original author continued the Dune story and you look at how Chani's character was changed in the film I think it is hard to argue that both the original book and the film are not trying to convey a message of being warry of the 'messianic figure' and religious indoctrination. I'd argue that at the point the films are at, to make it anymore obvious that Paul is not a hero and is a figure to be weary of would be to spoonfeed the audience and remove any nuance, but unfortuantely, or fortunately as this is how we create conversation and further discussion, there will be people who don't look any deeper than the surface or who try to look deeper and come to a different conclusion on Pauls actions and the overall meassage of Dune.

@Dorian_sapiens 5 месяцев назад

@@benwilton6615 Thanks for the reply! I agree that it's fortunate when differing interpretations generate discussion. I didn't know about the change to Chani. Your explanation is interesting and does seem to support the idea that the film is critiquing "saviorism".

@LuridContent 5 месяцев назад

The film adaptation isn't even finished yet. And yes, the key word is "adaptation". Thus the source material has to be taken into context. Otherwise we are at the point of considering the opinion as Dune being a "white savior" story as being dumb as hell.

@aycssv9645 5 месяцев назад

the entire video just shows you haven't put any effort into understanding Dune. It's a critique of everything you've mentioned, yet you blatantly lie about it. You're misrepresenting the story. You're misrepresenting what the story stands for. Do you not have the ability to watch/read a story without injecting your bias into your understanding of it?