From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Canadian makeup artist and prosthetic designer Donald Mowat says he didn't let previous film and TV adaptions of "Dune" impact his style choices in the latest version of the sci-fi epic, instead opting to make the characters his own.
The highly anticipated adaptation of Frank Herbert's 1965 novel from Canadian filmmaker Denis Villeneuve had a world exclusive IMAX screening at this year's Toronto International Film Festival.
The sprawling interstellar story of warring families stars Timothee Chalamet as the protagonist antihero. Oscar Isaac plays his father, who oversees a dangerous desert planet called Arrakis, which contains the most valuable resource in the universe, a drug nicknamed “spice” that gives its users heightened powers and allows navigators to guide spaceships through the universe. This makes Arrakis the target of violent battles and political treachery.
Mowat, who is known for his work on "8 Mile," "Skyfall," "Blade Runner 2049" and "First Man," told CTVNews.ca that he's only worked on films that were either based on a true story, book or play, or are some form of a remake of an original version – making his job more difficult, he says.
"I think there's an influence, and it also makes you [feel] like you're not creating your own looks," Mowat explained in an interview over Zoom.
Mowat said he decided not to watch the 1984 version of "Dune" so as not to have director David Lynch's depiction of the characters influence how he would create them.
"I had the same challenge with 'Blade Runner' because there was this thing, this huge epic thing that people would compare it to inevitably, and I just thought, 'I can't get caught up in that'," Mowat said
Mowat said he has since looked at clips of the original film and is "really glad" he didn't beforehand.
Canadian makeup artist and prosthetic designer Donald Mowat does Rebecca Ferguson's makeup on the set of 'Dune.' (Courtesy of Warner Brothers)
Swapping out characteristics of red hair and wildly overgrown eyebrows, Mowat opted for subtle yet distinct features to recognize each planet's people, specifically the people that live on the desert planet of Arrakis, known as the Fremen.
The Fremen's costumes -- including actor Zendaya's -- were heavily influenced by Bedouin tribes and Moroccan culture, and Mowat said he wanted their hair and makeup to match that aesthetic.
Fremen who use spice have distinctive blue eyes. Mowat also opted to make their makeup look natural, using nude hues to create a "very neutral yet kind of beautiful" look. Their hair is unkempt, but not so much to the point where they "look like savages," he said, adding that there is an "attraction" about the Fremen.
"They're not uncivilized people," he said. "They look like they live there, so they should look good because that's where they belong. That's where they live and where they thrive."
Mowat says the makeup team also covered actors playing Fremen people in sand and dirt to match the desert environment.
Canadian makeup artist and prosthetic designer Donald Mowat does David Bautista's hair on the set of 'Dune.' (Courtesy of Warner Brothers)
Bald caps, eyebrow covers and small tattoos were also part of Mowat's looks for the Harkonnen and Mentat people -- features not seen in previous adaptations.
In addition, Mowat helped to create the prosthetics for the villainous Baron, played by Stellan Skarsgard. He says the fat suit and prosthetic makeup was a "huge elaborate build," taking the team 16 weeks to conceptualize and create.
"My concept was a character that was based loosely using a gorilla -- the size of a gorilla, the power, the viciousness and fierceness," Mowat said. "Then some Marlon Brando in 'Apocalypse Now" and 'The Island of Dr. Moreau' with that very white skin and makeup."
Mowat said the transformation required Skarsgard to spent six to eight hours at a time in the makeup chair.
With each character's appearance being "meticulously" thought out, Mowat said the film is a testament to the artistry of those who work behind the scenes on major movies.
"For me, it celebrates filmmaking on the big screen -- great costumes, great production design, music, every type of makeup imaginable -- it just encompasses every aspect of cinema that we love so much," he said.
Canadian makeup artist and prosthetic designer Donald Mowat touches up Josh Brolin's makeup on the set of 'Dune.' (Courtesy of Warner Brothers)
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
The National Post is reporting that Rex Murphy, the pundit and columnist who hosted a national call-in radio show for decades, has died.
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Careful attention to government statements and legislation is required to get a handle on the level of risk British Columbians’ information is under, as investigators probe multiple breaches under a continued barrage of attacks.
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Hailey and Justin Bieber are going to be parents. The couple announced the news on Thursday on Instagram, both sharing a video that showcases Hailey Bieber's growing belly.
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
The Oscar-winning team behind the nearly US$6 billion blockbuster 'Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit' trilogies is reuniting to produce two new films.
A Listowel, Ont. man, drafted by the Hamilton Tigercats last week, is also getting looks from the NFL, despite only playing 27 games of football in his life.
A small Ajax dessert shop that recently received a glowing review from celebrity food critic Keith Lee is being forced to move after a zoning complaint was made following the social media influencer’s visit last month.
The Canada Science and Technology Museum is inviting visitors to explore their poop. A new exhibition opens at the Ottawa museum on Friday called, 'Oh Crap! Rethinking human waste.'
The Regina Police Service says it is the first in Saskatchewan and possibly Canada to implement new technology in its detention facility that will offer real-time monitoring of detainees’ vital health metrics.
The stakes have been set for a bet between Vancouver and Edmonton's mayors on who will win Round 2 of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
A grieving mother is hosting a helmet drive in the hopes of protecting children on Manitoba First Nations from a similar tragedy that killed her daughter.
A chicken farmer near Mattawa made an 'eggstraordinary' find Friday morning when she discovered one of her hens laid an egg close to three times the size of an average large chicken egg.
A P.E.I. lighthouse and a New Brunswick river are being honoured in a Canada Post series.
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.