Sci-fi epic Dune, directed by Denis Villeneuve, has been nominated for 10 Oscars at this year’s awards, including Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Cinematography.
The film, which stars Timothee Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac and Zendaya, was shot in the Liwa desert in the summer of 2019. The vast open landscape was used as the setting for the planet Arrakis – a dangerous place known for its exclusive supply of Spice, the most essential and valuable commodity in the universe.
On hearing the news that Dune – adapted from Frank Herbert's book series of the same name – had been nominated for 10 Academy Awards, the Abu Dhabi Film Commission congratulated its cast and crew, and wished them luck and success at the ceremony, which will be held on March 27.
“Ever since Denis Villeneuve first visited Abu Dhabi looking for a location for the planet Arrakis, it was clear that the emirate’s breathtaking desert landscapes were the perfect backdrop for his adaptation of Dune,” said Hans Fraikin, Abu Dhabi Film Commissioner.
“The scenes shot in the stunning Liwa desert bring to life the adventure, mystery and romance of this legendary sci-fi tale, taking on a unique character that simply couldn’t have been created anywhere else in the world. We always knew that this film would be a spectacular piece of cinematography, and its critical and commercial success have shown it was even more impressive than we imagined.
“Abu Dhabi has played host to a growing slate of fantastic, award-winning films and we are very proud of Dune’s well-deserved nominations for 10 categories including Best Picture. I wish everyone involved the best of luck at the Academy Awards in March.”
In light of Dune's success, it was confirmed in October that a sequel is in the works. Warner Bros Pictures Group chairman Toby Emmerich announced that the studio will release Dune: Part Two in October 2023.
The Oscars will be held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California, on March 27
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TRAP
Starring: Josh Hartnett, Saleka Shyamalan, Ariel Donaghue
Director: M Night Shyamalan
Rating: 3/5
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Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
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List of officials:
Referees: Chris Broad, David Boon, Jeff Crowe, Andy Pycroft, Ranjan Madugalle and Richie Richardson.
Umpires: Aleem Dar, Kumara Dharmasena, Marais Erasmus, Chris Gaffaney, Ian Gould, Richard Illingworth, Richard Kettleborough, Nigel Llong, Bruce Oxenford, Ruchira Palliyaguruge, Sundaram Ravi, Paul Reiffel, Rod Tucker, Michael Gough, Joel Wilson and Paul Wilson.
The winners
Fiction
- ‘Amreekiya’ by Lena Mahmoud
- ‘As Good As True’ by Cheryl Reid
The Evelyn Shakir Non-Fiction Award
- ‘Syrian and Lebanese Patricios in Sao Paulo’ by Oswaldo Truzzi; translated by Ramon J Stern
- ‘The Sound of Listening’ by Philip Metres
The George Ellenbogen Poetry Award
- ‘Footnotes in the Order of Disappearance’ by Fady Joudah
Children/Young Adult
- ‘I’ve Loved You Since Forever’ by Hoda Kotb
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
