Denis Villeneuve Prohibits Phones and Social Media on ‘Dune’ Set to Maintain Full Focus

Denis Villeneuve, known for his direction of Dune, enforces a firm rule on his sets: no phones and no distractions.

By eliminating technology, he fosters an environment where the cast and crew can remain fully focused on their work

Denis Villeneuve Stresses the Importance of Full Attention in Filmmaking

Denis Villeneuve views cinema as a deeply immersive art form that demands full concentration. He compared it to the way a painter must focus on every stroke of paint or a dancer on each movement.

For a filmmaker, this focus is shared with the entire crew, as every person must be fully engaged, listening, and connecting with one another to create the work, as he explained in an interview with Los Angeles Times.

Villeneuve emphasized, “Phones have been prohibited on my set from day one. It’s a strict rule. After saying ‘cut,’ the last thing you want is someone distracted by their phone, scrolling through social media.

Denis Villeneuve Reveals Why He Opposes Technology in Certain Moments

For Villeneuve, the issue extends past simply limiting screen time on set. He views technology as influencing society’s mindset, pushing people toward rigid, binary ways of thinking. This, in turn, has weakened the depth of true human connections.

Villeneuve shared his thoughts, saying, “Humans are currently controlled by algorithms. We act like AI systems, perceiving the world in simplistic, binary terms. This is causing a rift between us, and it’s unsettling to witness the disintegration of society.”

Villeneuve believes that constant connectivity doesn’t offer liberation but instead fosters addiction and isolation. He has expressed a desire to disconnect from the digital world, calling it a much-needed breath.

The 2024 sequel, which premiered in March, further developed the story and introduced notable new cast members such as Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, and Anya Taylor-Joy.

Fans were eager to see Zendaya’s character take on a larger role after her brief appearance in the first film, and Chalamet praised her for bringing an uplifting vibe to the set.

“She was like a breath of fresh air,” Chalamet shared in a joint interview with Zendaya in October 2021. “Her energy was truly something special.

Also Read: Margot Robbie’s Daily Beach Gifts Played A Key Role In Ryan Gosling Becoming Ken: “Ken’s Got No Money, Job, or House