The “perfect” movie Denis Villeneuve calls “a masterpiece”
For the last two decades, Denis Villeneuve has established himself as one of the brightest stars in the ever-changing skies of modern cinema. With truly stunning visual films with engaging and tense narratives, it’s easy to see why the Canadian actor has drawn such acclaim and his future career will continue to blossom into excellence.
There have been wildly impressive contributions to the science fiction movie genre with Blade Runner 2049, Arrival and Dune, while Villeneuve has also proven his versatility with the likes of Prisoners and Sicario. Quite simply, there isn’t a project that the director can’t turn into gold, and his back catalogue shines with effortless quality.
Perhaps the most impressive thing about Villeneuve’s filmography is its stunning cinematography, greatly assisted by the always brilliant Roger Deakin and the director’s eye for a great shot and proper use of cinematic language is informed by his love for the 1962 epic biographical adventure drama Lawrence of Arabia.
“I was 19 years old or 18 years old, and I showed up to a projection of Lawrence of Arabia, a new 70mm print in Montreal, and I was alone in the theatre. I was a film student at the time, and it changed my life,” Villeneuve told Movie Maker of his time with the classic David Lean movie. “It’s a master class of filmmaking, and it is still, by far, one of my favourite movies.”
Lawrence of Arabia is rightfully considered one of the greatest movies ever made, so it’s understandable to hear Villeneuve talk so highly of it. Based on the life of British archaeologist and army officer T.E. Lawrence, the film stars Peter O’Toole in the lead role and focuses on Lawrence’s experience in the Ottoman Empire during the First World War and the Arab Revolt.
“Lawrence of Arabia is to cinema what the pyramids are to architecture,” Villeneuve once said at the TIFF. “It’s like a masterpiece; it’s timeless, and you could not make it again today. It’s a perfect movie. And it’s a masterclass in cinematic language. For the film student, I was to witness this movie in its full power on the big screen – it had a tremendous impact on my psyche and my creativity.”
“It’s a movie that is using the cinematic language in a way that it very classical but very powerful,” the Dune director added. “I think that David Lean was able to create a very impressive balance between the scope and the epicness and the intimacy of the journey of the main character.”
