YouTube clip of Machinic Unconscious podcast about Dune: A Critical Companion

Interview on Machinic Unconscious Happy Hour Podcast

Criticism

I had a great discussion with Cooper and Taylor on the Machinic Unconscious Happy Hour podcast. We covered all sorts of topics relating to Dune, from how my books came to be, our favorite books in the Dune series, and some deeper theoretical perspectives based on our academic backgrounds. And of course we had to talk about the recent film adaptations. I’ve got new angles to think about in future Dune scholarship, and hopefully listeners find something interesting to pick up on as well. Check out the episode “Kara Kennedy – Dune: A Critical Companion” on YouTube, Spotify, Soundcloud, or

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Variety article on Dune: Part Two Middle Eastern and North African influences

Commentary in Variety article on Middle Eastern and North African Influences in Dune: Part Two

Criticism

Sharareh Drury in ‘Dune 2’ Criticized for Lack of Middle Eastern and North African Inclusion and Influences: ‘A Missed Opportunity’ addresses the Dune: Part Two film’s treatment of Middle Eastern and North African elements and Islamic culture, casting, and the missed opportunity to adapt Herbert’s novel Dune in a way that involved and represented marginalized communities. I appreciated the opportunity to provide background and commentary about the Fremen and their depiction in the source material. Great quote from writer Khaldoun Khelil in this article: “The problem for the movies [and] the director’s vision and his perspective is that he did

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Chani in Dune: Part Two film

My Analysis of Chani in Dune: Part Two

Criticism

My analysis of Chani in Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Two film has been published on Dune News Net as Chani and the Empowered Woman Stereotype in ‘Dune: Part Two’: No Family, No Faith, Just Fight. Chani’s portrayal in the ‘Dune’ movies eliminates key roles she held in the book, reducing her agency and depth as a character. This piece continues my analysis of the women in the film, begun in Dune: Part Two’s Treatment of Women is an Abomination, which focuses on Jessica and the Bene Gesserit. It draws from my prior scholarship on Chani’s character and my discussion of

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Jessica in her Reverend Mother garb flanked by other Fremen

Dune: Part Two’s Treatment of Women is an Abomination

Criticism

Despite stated intentions to focus on women and expand their roles, the new Dune film adaptations disappointingly fall back on stereotypes for the Bene Gesserit and undermine the political, religious, and maternal agency of Jessica in particular. Cast and Crew Intentions Director Denis Villeneuve has discussed in numerous interviews that he wanted to focus on the women in his adaptation. Before Dune: Part One, he said: “For me, it was important to bring more femininity to the story. I am fascinated by the relationship of femininity and power, the place of women in society…. [Lady Jessica]’s a fascinating character, one

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Women Discuss Dune event banner

Women Discuss Dune Event

Academia, Criticism

⏺️ The recording of this panel is now available on Dune News Net’s YouTube channel. Join me for a virtual panel with women scholars who have written about Frank Herbert’s Dune as we discuss this science fiction classic and what we find interesting and relevant about its epic story. Each writer will bring their own angle of research to the table and explore what keeps fans and scholars alike coming back to this decades-old book and its adaptations. Just in time for the release of the new Dune: Part Two film! Meet the Panelists! Yosr Dridi, PhD (@YosrDridi8 on Twitter/X, @Dridi_Yosr

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