As a seasoned movie enthusiast who has witnessed the evolution of cinema over the years, I find myself deeply moved by Denis Villeneuve‘s profound reflections on our society’s growing reliance on technology. His insights into the detrimental effects of our obsession with smartphones are not only thought-provoking but also strikingly accurate.

In a conversation with the Los Angeles Times, Denis Villeneuve voiced his concern about how “humans are currently governed by algorithms.” He elaborated: “We’re acting more like artificial intelligence systems. Our perspective on the world is limited and dichotomous. We’re growing apart from one another, and society is deteriorating in certain aspects. It’s alarming.

Glenn Whipp, a columnist for The Times, mentioned that while checking his phone, director Denis Villeneuve expressed these thoughts. He commented, “There’s an addictive quality to having the ability to access any data, music, or literature at your fingertips.” Villeneuve described this as compulsive and likened it to a drug. He admitted that he feels drawn to disconnect and do so would be like taking in fresh air.

Cell phones cannot thrive in any form of movie production, as confirmed by Villeneuve and Nolan. They strictly prohibit the use of mobile devices during their film shoots.

Director Villeneuve believes that filmmaking is about being fully present, just like a painter focusing on their color choice or a dancer executing a gesture. In his work, this presence requires not only himself but also the entire crew. As such, he prohibits cellphone usage on set from day one to ensure everyone’s undivided attention and communication. So, checking Facebook during filming is not an option.

It was frequently speculated that during the production of “Tenet,” director Christopher Nolan enforced a ban on chairs on set. However, this claim was swiftly refuted by his team. As for Denis Villeneuve, while he opted not to use a chair personally during the filming of “Dune” due to private matters, it’s important to note that producers and others were still permitted to sit.

In the making of ‘Blade Runner’, Villeneuve experienced a back issue due to extensive sitting. For the ‘Dune’ films, we, Villeneuve and our cinematographer Greig Fraser, opted to stand throughout the process to minimize our impact, allowing us mobility and speed. This also helped keep our circulation active and us alert. We chose not to use chairs; perhaps they were reserved for the producers in the video village.

Head over to the Los Angeles Times’ website to read Villeneuve’s latest profile in its entirety.

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2024-12-27 01:16