Ep. 346: Denis Villeneuve’s New Film "Dune" and the White Savior Problem
Release Date: 10/31/2021
The Chauncey DeVega Show
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info_outlineEmmet Asher-Perrin is a writer and cultural critic. They are also the news and entertainment editor for Tor.com
Asher-Perrin critically interrogates the new Dune film and its white savior theme(s) and questions of identity, gender, power, orientalism and cultural appropriation.
They also reflect upon Denis Villeneuve’s choices in terms of casting, narrative, visual storytelling and character development.
Mr. Bill, friend of The Chauncey DeVega Show and expert on all things Dune and science fiction, also joins this week’s episode where he explains some of the many story elements that the casual viewer may have missed or not understood in the new Dune film.
He also highlights the great challenges that Denis Villeneuve had to overcome in adapting such a sprawling science fiction story.
Mr. Bill also translates how the events that we see in Dune part 1 are part of a much larger story – that if told correctly with sequels – will make for a powerful conclusion that greatly complicates any claim that Dune is a “white savior” story.
Chauncey DeVega updates you good people on his recent health scare and why you should pay close attention to your diet.
Chauncey also goes to the movies and offers up his reviews of “The Last Duel”, “Last Night in Soho”, “Halloween Kills”, “Lamb”, and “Titane”
And Chauncey DeVega keeps sounding the alarm about the Republican fascist assault on democracy and how infrastructure and the “Build Back Better Plan” will not save the country if black and brown and other pro-democracy Americans are not allowed to vote.
SELECTED LINKS OF INTEREST FOR THIS EPISODE OF THE CHAUNCEY DEVEGA SHOW
- The Enduring Appeal of Dune as an Adolescent Power Fantasy
- The Socialist Dune?
- What Draws Us to the Reactionary Darkness of Dune?
- Welp, We Finally Have a Movie That Sure Seems Like Dune
- Why It’s Important to Consider Whether Dune Is a White Savior Narrative
- Dune: Denis Villeneuve Responds To Criticisms That The Sci-Fi Epic Is A White Savior Story
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Music at the end of this week's episode of The Chauncey DeVega Show is by JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound. You can listen to some of their great music on Spotify.