Dune Part 2: The martial art making Chani one of the most powerful characters
Dune Part 2: The martial art making Chani one of the most powerful characters. Zendaya’s character in Denis Villeneuve’s film is much more than just Paul’s lover.
By Megan Sauer
The days become fewer and fewer until we return to the hostile sands of Arrakis. Dune: Part Two has to be one of the most anticipated sci-fi films of the decade.
The second installment by Denis Villeneuve will co-star Zendaya in the role of Chani, the Fremen who conquers Paul’s heart and one of the most powerful characters in that universe. What was her secret? Training in a secret martial art.
Who is Chani, Zendaya’s character in Dune?
Born in Arrakis, Chani (Zendaya) is a Fremen. A desert native that hides among the planet’s underground rocky cave system. She is one of the first indigenous people that Paul (Timothée Chalamet) and Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson) meet after their escape from the Harkonnen House plot. We see this in Dune.
Although she appears in Paul’s visions, from their first meeting there is an attraction between them.
Eventually, Chani becomes his lover and the bridge that connects him to the culture of the Fremen, which she must assimilate to convince them to lead them against their enemies and thus regain control of Arrakis.
But beyond being her companion, she will become one of the most powerful characters in Dune Part 2.
What is the Prana-bindu martial art in Dune and how does Chani train in it?
Beyond being a master of the desert, Chani’s closeness to Paul allows her to be trained in the martial art prana-bindu and become a great warrior.
In the novel, this is a type of mental and physical exercise that involves controlling, with great precision and premeditation, any muscle and part of the body.
It is said that someone with this knowledge can, for example, move only the joint of the little toe while the rest of the body remains completely still. This also means adding enormous force to the blows. Receiving training in these techniques is not easy for Chani.
Without revealing too much and based on fidelity to the book, in Dune Part 2 we will see Jessica, Paul’s mother, distrust Chani. The awkwardness between the two women grows as he makes Fremen an integral part of his life.
Partly out of fear of the power he may gain from his alliance with this desert town and partly because he doesn’t believe that falling in love with Zendaya’s character is the best thing for his son.
Secrets, however, flow both ways. Chani does the same with Paul by helping him understand Fremen customs, one of which involves riding sandworms. It is with his help that the young noble manages to become the prophetic figure of Muad’dib, with which he adds legitimacy to lead that people against the Harkonnen.
Thus, Chani and Zendaya will become a key part of Dune Part 2. There are still more surprises in store for her, as the relationship between her and Paul becomes increasingly intense and lasts beyond the events of the first novel.
It remains to be seen if the young actress, a two-time Emmy winner, surprises as an action star. We will find out on March 15 when the film hits theaters.
