Denis Villeneuve shares insight into ‘no phones on set’ rule

Dune director Denis Villeneuve has opened up about his strict no phone on the set rule.

Denis says cellphones are extremely addictive and distract filmmakers from their purpose on the set.

“Cinema is an act of presence. When a painter paints, he has to be absolutely focused on the color he’s putting on the canvas. It’s the same with the dancer when he does a gesture,” the three-time Oscar nominee explained to the Los Angeles Times.

“With a filmmaker, you have to do that with a crew, and everybody has to focus and be entirely in the present, listening to each other, being in relationship with each other. So cellphones are banned on my set too, since Day 1. It’s forbidden. When you say cut, you don’t want someone going to his phone to look at his Facebook account.”

The Dune director acknowledged that he too struggles with technology addiction and contemplates a complete withdrawal from all devices.

“I’m like anybody. There’s something addictive about the fact that you can access any information, any song, any book. It’s compulsive. It’s like a drug. I’m very tempted to disconnect myself. It would be fresh air,” he shared.

Denis Villeneuve’s Dune (2021) and its sequel Dune: Part Two starred Timothee Chalamet and Zendaya in the lead roles and made a combined $1.12 billion globally along with critical acclaim.