These Films Are Pure Visual Masterpieces According to Denis Villeneuve

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In a recent discussion with The Hollywood Reporter, director Denis Villeneuve shared his high regard for Pierre Perrault, a celebrated Canadian documentary filmmaker.

Director Denis Villeneuve, famous for films like Dune, has often acknowledged a strong influence from Jean Rouch, a key figure in the 1960s “direct cinema” style. This innovative approach to filmmaking involved immersing cameras directly in real-life situations, moving away from the more static, tripod-bound methods of the past.

Villeneuve shared that Perrault initially encouraged him after he finished film school, but was let down when he decided to pursue fictional stories instead of documentaries. Villeneuve recalled Perrault being upset by his choice, explaining that Perrault, a staunch believer in realism, considered all narrative filmmaking to be inherently deceptive. Villeneuve even imitated Perrault’s strong reaction, quoting him as saying, “Why are you getting emotional when an actress like Catherine Deneuve cries? It’s not real!”

Despite achieving success with large-scale science fiction and story-driven films, Villeneuve says he’s still influenced by Perrault’s approach. He playfully described himself as ‘the rebellious son,’ explaining that while he admired the powerful realism in Perrault’s films, he couldn’t help but be drawn to fiction.

When asked what movies he’d choose to watch while contemplating death, director Denis Villeneuve selected the acclaimed trilogy by Quebecois filmmaker Jean-Pierre Perrault. The series begins with the 1963 film For Those Who Will Follow and chronicles the life of a local fisherman over three years. Villeneuve described it as “a fantastic achievement that remains close to my heart,” praising its stunning visuals and emotional impact. He added that the trilogy is among the most beautiful he’s ever seen.

Considering the director is famous for the vast desert scenes in Dune and its futuristic cities, it’s quite a compliment to call a 1960s film about fishermen a great work.

Denis Villeneuve continues to be a highly productive director. He’s just finished filming the third Dune movie, based on the novel Dune Messiah, which is scheduled to come out worldwide on December 18, 2026. Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya will reprise their roles, and there’s talk that Robert Pattinson might also be joining the film in a significant part.

He’s also set to direct the 26th James Bond film, with casting expected to start in summer 2026.

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2026-01-25 01:14