The unique aesthetic of Giedi Prime in Denis Villeneuve’s rendition of “Dune” stemmed from an unexpected source—septic tanks. Production designer Patrice Vermette shared in an interview how a routine drive outside Montreal ignited a sudden spark of creativity:
“One day, while I was driving on a country road outside Montreal, I came across this field full of septic tanks. They were all made of black plastic. It was kind of an epiphany. It all made sense. Septic tanks and their molds have interesting shapes. And besides that, what do you find inside septic tanks?”
This original and innovative concept contributed to Vermette’s Oscar-winning production design for “Dune,” despite the Academy’s perceived neglect of certain winners in the 2022 ceremony. The septic tank motif extended into the sequel, “Part Two,” particularly in the depiction of a conquered Arrakeen city, as described in “The Art and Soul of Dune: Part Two”:
“Both the Arrakis spaceport and the city of Arrakeen had been badly damaged in the first film. ‘Part Two’ would feature these same locations to illustrate the aftermath of the attack and how the enemy had invaded the landscape. Denis suggested building structures on top of the rubble, ‘Imagine huge, black, plastic insectoid shapes emerging from the ruins, as though the Harkonnens have brought their world with them.’”
Vermette seized the moment to once again invoke his unique inspiration, prompting a humorous exchange with Villeneuve. He emphasized the stylistically resonant qualities of the tanks: “You’re going to laugh, but do you know what I find inspiring? Septic tanks,” to which he added, “Black, shiny, and new,” effectively reinforcing the vision they shared for the film.
FAQ Section
- Who is Patrice Vermette?
- Patrice Vermette is a production designer known for his work on Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune.” He won an Oscar for his part in the film’s production design.
- What was the inspiration behind the design of Giedi Prime in “Dune”?
- The design was inspired by a field full of black plastic septic tanks that Patrice Vermette came across while driving on a country road outside Montreal.
- How did the septic tank theme influence “Dune: Part Two”?
- In the sequel, the theme was extended to illustrate the Harkonnen invasion on Arrakeen, where the enemy’s structures are depicted as huge, black, plastic, insectoid shapes reminiscent of the septic tanks.
Conclusion
The story behind the inspiration for Giedi Prime’s landscape in Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune” universe is a testament to the unpredictable nature of creative influences. The revelation that the dark and dystopian aesthetic of a critically acclaimed film set was inspired by the mundane and utilitarian design of septic tanks is a fascinating insight into the film’s production process. It highlights that inspiration can come from the least expected places, and that translating such an everyday object into a cinematic vision can yield extraordinary results, as evidenced by Patrice Vermette’s award-winning production design work.