Denis Villeneuve's adaptation of Frank Herbert's sci-fi novel used Abu Dhabi's landscape for the setting of the desert planet Arrakis.
Denis Villeneuve’s sci-fi epic Dune has emerged with 11 nominations for the 2022 BAFTA film awards, leading the pack of 48 films that will be vying for gold statuettes at the ceremony on March 13.
Dune received 11 nominations, including in best film, adapted screenplay, original score, and all eight technical categories.
Speaking about the nomination and Abu Dhabi’s association with the film, Hans Fraikin, Abu Dhabi Film Commissioner, said: “Abu Dhabi Film Commission is proud that the incredible natural landscape of Liwa, which doubled for the desert planet Arrakis, is one of the stars of Dune. We have no doubt that the exquisite way it was captured is one of the reasons behind the nomination for Best Cinematography at this year’s Baftas. On behalf of everyone who worked on the film in Abu Dhabi, I’d like to congratulate Denis Villeneuve and the cast and crew of Dune on all their Bafta nominations and wish them luck.”
The epic action-adventure movie, from Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures, was filmed at the Liwa desert in Abu Dhabi over 11 days with a team of local and international talent. The production services were provided by Epic Films, along with support from a number of UAE production partners, including twofour54, Go Aerials, Filmquip Media, FSTOP Location Services and EMAN Transport.
Legendary Pictures benefited from the 30% rebate through ADFC, which also facilitated logistics for the shoot, such as applications for filming permits and helped with the import of equipment, as well as finding local partners in the UAE.
Dune tells the story of Paul Atreides, a brilliant and gifted young man born into a great destiny beyond his understanding, who must travel to Arrakis – the most dangerous planet in the universe to ensure the future of his family and his people. As malevolent forces explode into conflict over the planet’s exclusive supply of the most precious resource in existence-a commodity capable of unlocking humanity’s greatest potential-only those who can conquer their fear will survive.
The Power of the Dog scored eight nominations, including in best film, three times in the acting categories – and the best director nomination for Campion, who was the first woman to be nominated for the best director Bafta for The Piano in 1994.
Belfast was the third-most-nominated title overall with six; with three titles each receiving five – Licorice Pizza, No Time To Die and West Side Story.
In total 48 feature films were nominated, plus eight shorts.
Rebel Wilson will host the awards ceremony for the first time, on March 13 at the Royal Albert Hall.
