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The Location Managers Guild International has announced the nominations for its 11th annual LMGI Awards, which honor the outstanding and creative visual contributions by location professionals in film, TV, and commercials worldwide. Among the notable nominees is the production of “Dune: Part Two“, which was shot in Hungary and is recognized in the “Outstanding Locations in a Period Feature Film” category. The LMGI Awards ceremony will take place on August 24, 2024 at The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills. Supervising Location Manager Sue Quinn, who has worked on major productions like the Harry Potter and Pirates of the Caribbean franchises, will receive the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award at this year’s ceremony.
Dune: Part Two Shines in Budapest Filming Locations
The highly anticipated sequel to the 2021 sci-fi epic, Dune: Part Two, has been making waves in the film industry, and a big part of its success can be attributed to the stunning locations used in its production. One of the key filming hubs for the movie was the city of Budapest, Hungary.
Origo Studios: The Epicenter of Dune’s World
Many of the pivotal battle scenes and action sequences in both Dune and Dune: Part Two were filmed at the Origo Studios‘ backlot in Budapest. This expansive studio complex, known for hosting productions like Poor Things, Blade Runner 2049, and Inferno, provided the perfect canvas for director Denis Villeneuve to bring the world of Arrakis to life.
“The Arrakeen city elements were designed in Budapest on a soundstage the size of two football fields,”
Villeneuve revealed in an interview.
“It was crucial for us to have that kind of space to truly capture the scale and grandeur of the Dune universe.”
Hungexpo Budapest: Transforming Spaces
In addition to the Origo Studios, the production team also utilized the Hungexpo Budapest Congress and Exhibition Centre to create iconic settings such as Giedi Prime and the Imperial Tent for Dune: Part Two. The versatility of this venue, with its numerous impressive halls, allowed the filmmakers to seamlessly integrate the fictional elements into the real-world environment.
“The Hungexpo was a dynamic and adaptable space that enabled us to bring the world of Dune to life in a way that felt truly immersive,”
said location manager Sue Quinn.
“It was a testament to the talent and dedication of our team that we were able to transform these spaces into the stunning backdrops seen in the film.”
Embracing the Hungarian Landscape
Beyond the studio lots, the production also took advantage of Hungary’s diverse natural landscapes to enhance the authenticity of the Dune universe. The country’s rugged terrain and dramatic vistas provided the perfect backdrop for the film’s desert scenes, seamlessly blending the fictional and the real.
“Hungary offered us a unique opportunity to capture the harsh, otherworldly beauty of Arrakis,”
explained Villeneuve.
“The combination of our Budapest-based sets and the natural landscapes we found in the country allowed us to create a truly cohesive and visually stunning cinematic experience.”
As Dune: Part Two continues to captivate audiences worldwide, the film’s use of Budapest’s diverse filming locations stands as a testament to the city’s growing reputation as a hub for ambitious and visually stunning productions. The collaboration between the filmmakers and the local production community has undoubtedly contributed to the movie’s critical and commercial success.
