Dune 2's Fremen Language Subtitles Aren't Always Direct Translations, Villeneuve Reveals - Screen Rant - Translation

Summary

• The Fremen language in the Dune movies is not always directly subtitled, adding depth to character interactions.
• Villeneuve meticulously crafts the Dune world, from languages to visual effects, capturing complex essence.
• Dune: Part Two is getting rave reviews so far, which will hopefully lead to the film's successful box office run.

Denis Villeneuve reveals that the Fremen language in Dune: Part Two is not always directly subtitled. Directed by Villeneuve, Dune: Part Two continues the story of the 2021 sci-fi film by following Paul Atreides as he seeks vengeance on those who ruined his family. Dune: Part Two features a leading cast including Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Florence Pugh, Javier Bardem, Rebecca Ferguson, Dave Bautista, Josh Brolin, Austin Butler, and Anya Taylor-Joy.

Now, Villeneuve explains on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert that the subtitles the film uses for the Fremen language are not always direct.

The director was asked how the Fremen language had to translate not only individual words, but idioms. One such idiom comes when Zendaya’s Chani says to Stellan Skarsgård’s Vladimir Harkonnen “you’re insane,” but “in Fremen language it is ‘you’re drinking sand.’” Check out the full quote from Villeneuve below:

There was like a whole poetry and whole inner logic to the language. For example, when Zendaya says at one point to Stellan Skarsgård, her character Chani says to Skarsgård, ‘you are crazy, you’re insane.’ She says ‘you’re insane.’ But the way she says it in Fremen language is ‘you’re drinking sand.’ That of course for a Fremen, is the ultimate madness.

The Fremen Language Reflects the Meticulously-Crafted World of Dune: Part Two

Frank Herbert’s original Dune is nearly 900 pages long. Dune has often been considered an impossible novel to adapt given its sheer complexity and amount of world-building involved in it. From complex politics to made-up languages, the enormity of Herbert’s Dune presents an immense adaptation challenge to any filmmaker.

As evidenced by the description of the Fremen language, Villeneuve has taken over this intricate world with impeccable grace. Earlier in his interview with Colbert, Villeneuve related a story of a dialect coach on set who corrected an actor’s pronunciation of a Fremen word. Even though the Fremen language is made up, Villeneuve agreed to do the take again to accurately portray the world of Arrakis.

Dune: Part Two has also committed to its world-building by way of its skillful use of visual effects to portray everything from the sandworm to the titular dunes of Arrakis. So far, these efforts are being met with massive critical praise for Dune: Part Two, which holds a 95% on Rotten Tomatoes. Hopefully, Villeneuve's well-crafted world will amount to box office success as Dune: Part Two enters theaters for its opening weekend.

Source: The Late Show with Stephen Colbert/YouTube

Dune: Part Two

Dune: Part Two is the sequel to Denis Villeneuve's 2021 film that covers the novel's events by Frank Herbert. The movie continues the quest of Paul Atreides on a journey of revenge against those who slew his family. With insight into the future, Atreides may be forced to choose between his one true love and the universe's fate. 

Release Date

March 1, 2024

Studio(s)

Legendary Pictures

Distributor(s)

Warner Bros. Pictures

Budget

$122 Million

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