Spirituality on Screen
For several posts we have been pondering the themes behind the smash hit success of the ‘Dune’ films. We have covered quite a bit already, going through Old Testament history and looking at issues of evil and corruption. We aren’t finished by a long shot. Ahead of us lies the most complex issues, so strap yourselves in.
What sets ‘Dune’ apart from other films in its caliber is the explicit portrayals of spirituality. For years now we have witnessed an allergy to any mention of God, or any mention of the spiritual. In my second post I went over Dune’s themes of true and false Messiahs. In that post I wasn’t able to fully discuss some of the deeper themes, so that’s what I’ll be getting into.
Nihilistic Cults
In the first post I went over the Bene Gesserit, a mystical cult that hides in the shadows. Ever manipulating the politics of the Imperium, ensuring that everything that happens, happens for their purposes. Always attempting to create (literally, create) their ideal Messiah. But here’s the deal, while the Fremen believe in a Creator God who will save them, the Bene Gesserit believe in no such thing. None of the Bene Gesserit believe in God, they have no attitude of service, their purpose is domination. They are gods unto themselves. Throughout both movies it is made clear that the BG are utterly nihilistic.
Faith of the Sands
The Fremen of Dune are portrayed as very religious. While there is no specific term ever applied to their religion, it is made explicitly clear that Islam is the religion of the sands. Multiple references to the Mahdi are sprinkled throughout. Stilgar, a Fremen tribal when searching for guidance, bows his head on the ground and prays. Honestly, Stilgar was one of the more endearing characters, due to his unshakable yet humble faith.
Faith in God vs. Faith in Oneself
An unspoken theme of both films is faith in God and faith in oneself. The Bene Gesserit are portrayed as amoral, conniving and greedy for power. Towards the end of Part 2, the Bene Gesserit seethes in indignation at watching Paul Atreides upend all of their plans. The very one who was never supposed to exist.
One key element worth paying attention to is the simplicity of the Fremen faith and the evil of the Bene Gesserit. Right from the beginning the nihilistic cult is always attempting to influence all of the Imperium to their will. The interesting thing is though they seem to possess supernatural abilities, the Bene Gesserit do not believe in anything higher than themselves. They are gods in their own minds.
Contrast that with the Fremen religion. I want to point out that for time purposes I am grossly oversimplifying some of the concepts. The Fremen tribes of Dune believe that God is ultimately looking out for them, and that they will not be abandoned in their time of need. Even though things look really bad. Some of the Fremen have stopped waiting for God to save them, deciding to take up arms and free themselves. While these efforts look amusing to House Harkonnen and the Bene Gesserit, their plans are ultimately upended. It is the Fremen belief in God that sustains, empowers and leads them to victory.
No Such Thing As Chance
Probably the most interesting theme that deserves further exploration is how Paul’s life is guided. Initially Paul is motivated by a desire to honor his father’s legacy and for revenge against House Harkonnen, there is something deeper at work. From the opening of the first movie, Paul sees visions of a future that has yet to be. And the majority of Dune Part 2 is watching these prophetic visions come to pass. Who is sending these visions? Paul spends his time on Arrakis trying to avoid the prophecies, and in an ironic twist, ends up fulfilling them. It is implied that God is watching over Paul Atreides, singling him out to free Arrakis, and fulfill the prophecies of the Muad’Dib. Even though Paul himself doesn’t fully realize what is happening to him.
A particularly poignant moment in Part 2 is watching Stilgar willing to die for his belief that Paul is The Sent One, and watching Paul refuse to take Stilgar’s life. Paul violates the Fremen traditions by telling them that such things are no more. An interesting parallel to Messiah prophecies in the Old Testament.
In Conclusion
My goal for the past several posts was to point out some theological concepts woven throughout the ‘Dune’ films. I am not suggesting these are Christian movies, merely looking at the films from a Christian perspective. As Christians we tend to view art and culture in a very different lens than a secular person might. I’m hoping that the Dune films will open up meaningful discussions amongst Christians and even open up opportunities to engage with those may not share our beliefs.
