The sequel to Dune, titled Dune: Part 2 and directed by Denis Villeneuve, has faced criticism for its lack of diversity and stereotypical depiction of Middle Eastern culture, despite receiving acclaim for its cinematography and visual effects.
Critics have pointed out that although the film heavily draws inspiration from Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) culture, it lacks representation of MENA talent in major roles. Muslim journalist Furvah Shah expressed frustration over the erasure of MENA actors from significant roles in the film, despite the cultural inspiration it draws from.
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Amani Al-Khatahtbeh, founder of MuslimGirl.com, highlighted the broader issue of underrepresentation of MENA actors in Hollywood, particularly in non-stereotypical roles. She criticized the industry for perpetuating negative portrayals of Middle Eastern characters while claiming there is a lack of talent from these backgrounds.
Serena Rasoul, a casting director, emphasized the missed opportunity to authentically represent MENA culture and heritage in the film. She stressed that while MENA stories are deserving of recognition, MENA individuals are often overlooked in casting decisions.
Critics also noted the film’s reliance on tropes and stereotypes, with only one minority actor, Souheila Yacoub, playing a supporting role as the “noble savage.” This depiction was criticized as perpetuating outdated and harmful stereotypes about MENA characters.
Additionally, changes to the language from the source material were criticized for erasing Arabic elements, further marginalizing MENA cultures and people without centering them.
Critics called on Hollywood to take greater responsibility in faithfully representing minority cultures, particularly in light of ongoing global issues in Middle Eastern and North African territories. They emphasized the impact of media representation on perceptions of these communities.
While director Denis Villeneuve defended his adaptation of Dune: Part One, critics noted the lack of diversity in casting and representation of minority actors. They argued that Hollywood still has a long way to go in embracing cultural diversity and inclusion in a meaningful way.
