FILM JOURNALS & REVIEWS
STILLSUIT
Here, survival depends on a marvel of human ingenuity: the stillsuit. This full-body garment isn't just clothing; it's a portable water recycling system designed to reclaim every drop of moisture lost by the body. The design of a stillsuit is both complex and elegant. It features multiple layers of fabric. The inner layers are comfortable and allow sweat to flow freely, while the outer layers are tougher, shielding the wearer from the harsh desert sun and windblown sand. Embedded within these layers are strategically placed pockets and a network of tubes. As a person sweats, the moisture is collected in these pockets and channeled through the tubes. The collected moisture then enters a filtration system, removing impurities like salt and transforming the body's expelled fluids into clean, drinkable water. Stillsuits likely also incorporate a separate system to manage other bodily wastes, treating or storing them for later processing depending on the design and cultural practices. Finally, a discreet tube, often positioned near the neck, allows the wearer to access the suit's reservoir of reclaimed water. Some stillsuit designs take water conservation even further, incorporating a face mask to minimize moisture loss through breathing and a catheter system to collect urine, maximizing water reclamation. The exact design specifics of a stillsuit can vary. Profession, cultural norms, and personal preferences all play a role. However, the core principle remains constant: capture moisture, filter it, and make it available for consumption. This ingenious invention allows humans to survive and even thrive in the harshest desert environment imaginable. The origins of the stillsuit within the Dune universe are not explicitly detailed in the novels, but it's clear that this technology has been around for a considerable amount of time, having become an essential part of Fremen culture and deeply woven into the fabric of life on Arrakis.
In his room, Paul continued to study Arrakis. He learned that the sandworms on Arrakis can grow up to 400 meters and that the sound of footsteps in the desert can attract them. There is a technique called Sand walk, which involves making irregular noises to avoid attracting sandworms. He also studied the flora of Arrakis. Suddenly, an insect-like structure entered his room, sent by their enemy. Paul noticed that it was tracking his movements. He remained still, captured it, and destroyed it.
This incident reached Duke, Paul's father, who was angered and ordered the capture of the enemy. They discovered someone hiding in the pipeline, but he was already dead. He had been controlling the insect-like robot but died due to lack of oxygen. He was a member of the Harkonnens sent to assassinate Duke. Duke ordered increased protection. Meanwhile, on Giedi Prime, a member of the secret society Bene Gesserit approached Lord Baron Vladimir, requesting leniency for Jessica and Paul, as they are part of their society. The Baron agreed outwardly but secretly planned to destroy the entire Atreides family, including Paul and Jessica.
Duke discussed with others in the council how to increase spice harvesting. However, attendees pointed out that the Harkonnens had already taken much of the spice, making significant profits doubtful. Furthermore, there were limited resources available, making it impossible to harvest more spice.
Duke and others inspected the resources and spice harvesting machines, but they found that the Harkonnens had left behind damaged equipment, rendering increased harvesting unfeasible. Despite Duke's desire to see spice production, he was warned that it was dangerous to venture there.
Duncan arrived and informed Duke that he had spent four weeks with the Fremen community and encountered a secret society called the seitch. However, they viewed him as an enemy and engaged in conflict. Duncan emphasized their strength, referring to it as 'desert power.'
Unexpectedly, Duncan brought the leader of the seitch, Stilgar, before Duke. Stilgar spat in front of him, which was misunderstood as an insult. In reality, it was a traditional greeting in Arrakis, where moisture is scarce. Duncan and Duke followed suit, reciprocating the gesture as a sign of respect and greeting to Stilgar.
Duke attempted to establish a friendly relationship with Stilgar, expressing their intentions to help and govern well. However, Stilgar remained skeptical, stating that their presence was solely for the spice and urging them to leave the planet.
Duke explained their duty from the emperor to harvest the spice but continued to reassure Stilgar of their good intentions. Despite Duke's efforts to maintain a friendly dialogue, Stilgar decided to end the conversation and departed. Paul intervened, asking Stilgar to stay. Stilgar replied to him in the Fremen language, saying, 'I recognize you.' In fact, everyone in Arrakis believes that Paul is the chosen one.
Now, Paul, Duke, and others are heading to the spice production site, located in the desert. Without suits, they can't survive there. Therefore, the emperor sends someone to guide and assist them. Her name is Dr. Kynes. She informs them that the stillsuits they are wearing are incorrect.
So, Dr. Kynes helps them to correct to wear Stillsuit. But Paul was correctly wearing it. She asked him whether he had worn it before, but Paul hadn't. Paul then asked her, 'Are you Fremen or Seitch?'She said, 'I am accepted from both the communities.' Then she told them, 'This suit is very important for them to survive in this desert planet.'
Then, they arrived at the spot where the spice production was ongoing. There is a massive large machine which is working for the spice, and there are 21 employees still inside the machine working for this spice harvesting. Actually, this is a sandworms prone area. So there is a flying robot which can detect whether sandworms are coming or not. If yes, it could inform the employees and send the message to the imperial, and a carrier will come to the spot and pick the whole machine from the desert. This is the way they do spice harvesting.
While they are discussing these matters, suddenly a giant sandworm is coming near to them. Robots detected it and sent the message, calculating the time when it comes near to the machine. Actually, it's about five minutes to arrive. The carrier had come, but it failed this time to lock the machine and pull. Finally, Duke got some idea. He said they got 3 ornithopters (helicopters). In each, we can carry 7 employees, so totally 21 we can save them. So they planned to rescue the people inside the machine and leave the spice and machine. Everyone, including Paul, made down from the ornithopters and rescued the people inside the machine. But Paul got stuck with his mind; he again got some dreams. Except for Paul, all others made it into the ornithopters. Suddenly, Gurney Halleck came near Paul and rescued him. And they left from there. The sandworm arrived there and swallowed the whole Giant Machine.
They flew back to the palace. Duke scolded Paul for his mistake in the desert. Duke told Dr. Kynes, 'We can't do anything here. Harkonnens have already destroyed all the machines. With this situation, we can't process it anymore. We were just sent here to fail.' Duke asked Kynes to please request the Emperor about this issue. Dr. Kynes said, 'I can't help you, and I can't be a part of this. Because you all need only spice, nothing more. So I can't help you.'
Duke was in a dilemma. He didn't know what to do. Next, Paul was treated by a doctor because he was not okay and he was so upset. His mother, Jessica, asked him, 'What happened to you?' He answered that while he was in the desert, he got some visuals in his mind that his mother is pregnant. Jessica was shocked. 'How could he know whether she is pregnant? And also, he saw a woman that he sees every time in his dream. She actually stabbed him with a knife, and he is in a bloodbath.
SALUSA SECUNDUS
The next planet we see is
In the harsh desert world of Arrakis, giant sandworms rule the sands. These colossal creatures, revered as Shai-Hulud ("Old Man of the Desert") by the Fremen, are both a source of immense value and a constant danger.
Their lifecycle creates spice, the most vital commodity in the universe, which grants safe space travel. Yet, their immense size and territorial nature make them terrifying predators, capable of swallowing anything that disturbs their domain.
Sandworms are a complex part of Arrakis, both shaping the ecosystem and striking fear into the hearts of those who call this desert home.
SAND WORMS
In his room, Paul continued to study Arrakis. He learned that the sandworms on Arrakis can grow up to 400 meters and that the sound of footsteps in the desert can attract them. There is a technique called Sand walk, which involves making irregular noises to avoid attracting sandworms. He also studied the flora of Arrakis. Suddenly, an insect-like structure entered his room, sent by their enemy. Paul noticed that it was tracking his movements. He remained still, captured it, and destroyed it.
Duke discussed with others in the council how to increase spice harvesting. However, attendees pointed out that the Harkonnens had already taken much of the spice, making significant profits doubtful. Furthermore, there were limited resources available, making it impossible to harvest more spice.
Duke and others inspected the resources and spice harvesting machines, but they found that the Harkonnens had left behind damaged equipment, rendering increased harvesting unfeasible. Despite Duke's desire to see spice production, he was warned that it was dangerous to venture there.
This incident reached Duke, Paul's father, who was angered and ordered the capture of the enemy. They discovered someone hiding in the pipeline, but he was already dead. He had been controlling the insect-like robot but died due to lack of oxygen. He was a member of the Harkonnens sent to assassinate Duke. Duke ordered increased protection. Meanwhile, on Giedi Prime, a member of the secret society Bene Gesserit approached Lord Baron Vladimir, requesting leniency for Jessica and Paul, as they are part of their society. The Baron agreed outwardly but secretly planned to destroy the entire Atreides family, including Paul and Jessica.
Duncan arrived and informed Duke that he had spent four weeks with the Fremen community and encountered a secret society called the seitch. However, they viewed him as an enemy and engaged in conflict. Duncan emphasized their strength, referring to it as 'desert power.'
Unexpectedly, Duncan brought the leader of the seitch, Stilgar, before Duke. Stilgar spat in front of him, which was misunderstood as an insult. In reality, it was a traditional greeting in Arrakis, where moisture is scarce. Duncan and Duke followed suit, reciprocating the gesture as a sign of respect and greeting to Stilgar.
Duke attempted to establish a friendly relationship with Stilgar, expressing their intentions to help and govern well. However, Stilgar remained skeptical, stating that their presence was solely for the spice and urging them to leave the planet.
Duke explained their duty from the emperor to harvest the spice but continued to reassure Stilgar of their good intentions.
Despite Duke's efforts to maintain a friendly dialogue, Stilgar decided to end the conversation and departed. Paul intervened, asking Stilgar to stay. Stilgar replied to him in the Fremen language, saying, 'I recognize you.' In fact, everyone in Arrakis believes that Paul is the chosen one.
Now, Paul, Duke, and others are heading to the spice production site, located in the desert. Without suits, they can't survive there. Therefore, the emperor sends someone to guide and assist them. Her name is Dr. Kynes. She informs them that the stillsuits they are wearing are incorrect.
So, Dr. Kynes helps them to correct to wear Stillsuit. But Paul was correctly wearing it. She asked him whether he had worn it before, but Paul hadn't. Paul then asked her, 'Are you Fremen or Seitch?'
She said, 'I am accepted from both the communities.' Then she told them, 'This suit is very important for them to survive in this desert planet.'
Then, they arrived at the spot where the spice production was ongoing. There is a massive large machine which is working for the spice, and there are 21 employees still inside the machine working for this spice harvesting. Actually, this is a sandworms prone area. So there is a flying robot which can detect whether sandworms are coming or not. If yes, it could inform the employees and send the message to the imperial, and a carrier will come to the spot and pick the whole machine from the desert. This is the way they do spice harvesting.
While they are discussing these matters, suddenly a giant sandworm is coming near to them. Robots detected it and sent the message, calculating the time when it comes near to the machine. Actually, it's about five minutes to arrive. The carrier had come, but it failed this time to lock the machine and pull. Finally, Duke got some idea. He said they got 3 ornithopters (helicopters). In each, we can carry 7 employees, so totally 21 we can save them. So they planned to rescue the people inside the machine and leave the spice and machine. Everyone, including Paul, made down from the ornithopters and rescued the people inside the machine. But Paul got stuck with his mind; he again got some dreams. Except for Paul, all others made it into the ornithopters. Suddenly, Gurney Halleck came near Paul and rescued him. And they left from there. The sandworm arrived there and swallowed the whole Giant Machine.
They flew back to the palace. Duke scolded Paul for his mistake in the desert. Duke told Dr. Kynes, 'We can't do anything here. Harkonnens have already destroyed all the machines. With this situation, we can't process it anymore. We were just sent here to fail.' Duke asked Kynes to please request the Emperor about this issue.
Dr. Kynes said, 'I can't help you, and I can't be a part of this. Because you all need only spice, nothing more. So I can't help you.'
Duke was in a dilemma. He didn't know what to do. Next, Paul was treated by a doctor because he was not okay and he was so upset. His mother, Jessica, asked him, 'What happened to you?' He answered that while he was in the desert, he got some visuals in his mind that his mother is pregnant. Jessica was shocked. 'How could he know whether she is pregnant? And also, he saw a woman that he sees every time in his dream. She actually stabbed him with a knife, and he is in a bloodbath.
The next planet we see is SALUSA SECUNDUS