Denis Villeneuve on Why Cell Phones Are “Forbidden” on His Sets

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As a seasoned gamer with a penchant for immersive storytelling and a deep appreciation for the art of filmmaking, Denis Villeneuve‘s stance resonates deeply with me. His insights into our modern world’s reliance on technology, particularly cell phones, are thought-provoking and reflect my own concerns about the impact of digital distractions on human interaction.

Add Denis Villeneuve to the list of directors who ban cell phones on their sets.

The filmmaker behind “Dune” recently had an extensive chat with the Los Angeles Times, where they delved into various aspects of movie-making. During this discussion, he touched upon the topic of technology and his personal interactions with it, both on set and away from it.

In a recent conversation, I expressed my thoughts by saying, “I believe we, as humans, are currently functioning more like programmed algorithms than organic beings. Our perspectives on the world seem to be limited, binary, and devoid of nuance. We’re growing apart from each other, and it seems like society is fracturing in certain aspects. It’s a worrying development.

Similar to many others, Villeneuve acknowledged that the idea of smartphones is “hard to resist” due to the ability to obtain information instantly. “It’s habit-forming,” he stated. “It’s akin to a substance. The urge to disconnect is strong. It would feel invigorating.

In directing “Blade Runner 2049”, much like Christopher Nolan, the filmmaker chose to prohibit mobile phones on set as they tend to divert attention away from the task at hand.

In essence, a filmmaker’s work is all about being fully immersed in the moment, just like a painter with his color palette or a dancer with his movements. For the filmmaker, this presence requires not only themselves but an entire crew, working together and staying attentive to one another. Consequently, mobile phones are prohibited on my set from the very beginning, as I don’t want anyone distracted by checking their social media during production.

Contrary to some earlier reports (swiftly debunked), Nolan didn’t ban chairs on his film sets. However, when it came to our work on Dune, my team and I chose not to sit while we were there – but not for that reason.

In an interview, he mentioned that during the filming of “Blade Runner,” he developed a back issue due to spending prolonged periods sitting. For the “Dune” films, we opted to stand instead, aiming for minimal impact on the environment and maintaining flexibility and speed. This approach also helps keep the blood circulating and keeps us alert.

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2024-12-27 21:26