Posted on 05/16/2005 2:07:19 AM PDT by Savage_Nation
CANNES — The last episode of the seminal sci-fi saga "Star Wars" screened at the Cannes film festival Sunday, completing a six-part series that remains a major part of popular culture — and delivering a galactic jab to U.S. President George W Bush.
"Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith" was seen ahead of a celebrity-laden evening screening to be attended by its creator and director, George Lucas, and its cast, including Natalie Portman and Hayden Christensen.
Reaction at advance screenings was effusive, with festival-goers, critics and journalists at Cannes applauding at the moment the infamous Darth Vader came into being.
But there were also murmurs at the parallels being drawn between Bush's administration and the birth of the space opera's evil Empire.
Baddies' dialogue about bloodshed and despicable acts being needed to bring "peace and stability" to the movie's universe, mainly through a fabricated war, set the scene.
And then came the zinger, with the protagonist, Anakin Skywalker, saying just before becoming Darth Vader: "You are either with me — or you are my enemy."
To the Cannes audience, often sympathetic to anti-Bush messages in cinema as last year's triumph here of Michael Moore's "Fahrenheit 9/11" attested, that immediately recalled Bush's 2001 ultimatum, "You're either with us or against us in the fight against terror."
Lucas, speaking to reporters, emphasised that the original "Star Wars" was written at the end of the Vietnam war, when Richard Nixon was U.S. president, but that the issue being explored was still very much alive today.
"The issue was, how does a democracy turn itself into a dictatorship?" he said.
"When I wrote it, Iraq (the U.S.-led war) didn't exist... but the parallels of what we did in Vietnam and Iraq are unbelievable."
He acknowledged an uncomfortable feeling that the United States was in danger of losing its democratic ideals, like in the movie.
"I didn't think it was going to get this close. I hope this doesn't come true in our country."
Although he didn't mention Bush by name, Lucas took what sounded like another dig while explaining the transformation of the once-good Anakin Skywalker to the very bad Darth Vader.
"Most bad people think they're good people," he said.
The political message, though, was for the most part subsumed by the action and heroics the series — set "a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away" — is known for.
And for fans hungry for a last look at "Star Wars" elevated above the disappointing two other films that preceded "Sith," it was satisfying closure.
"Whatever one thought of the previous two installments, this dynamic picture irons out most of the problems, and emerges as the best in the overall series since 'The Empire Strikes Back,'" the Hollywood trade magazine Variety said.
The buzz meant the movie was the hottest ticket at Cannes this year. It also signalled the end of a cinematic era for a generation of filmgoers.
"Revenge of the Sith" is the last of three prequels to the landmark trilogy that burst onto the screens in 1977, 1980 and 1983.
It is in fact the middle episode of the epic story arc, explaining the events that led young Luke Skywalker to battle Darth Vader in order to save Princess Leia, before going on to vanquish the Empire.
Its success could be measured in the claps and smiles in the theatre, which were light years away from the tepid response engendered by the first two prequels, released in 1999 and 2002, widely panned for their boring exposition and wooden dialogue. (Wire reports)
First of all, I'm a Star Wars fan (not to the level of geekdom but I am a devotee nonetheless) This debate is as old as Obi- Wan himself. Lucas is a liberal and has said as much. Most fans have read into the whole left-wing rebellion against a fascist Imperial dictatorship. It's roots in the Vietnam War as well as Nixonian corruption.
Personally, I could care less. The story, the characters (which included the baddest motherf'er of all time Darth Vader )were some of the most groundbreaking in film history. The original trilogy was a flawless masterpiece. It's sci-fi fantasy based around Lucas' politics. Some people need to loosen the water tight grip around the O-ring. History has right-wing dictators and I'm against them as I am the commie ones.
Of course, the whole Trade Federation storyline with the obvious cheap shot against Newt Gingrich and Reagan was a low blow IMO. The Separatist Army made up of corporations, the Banking clan and the Commerce Guild was another cheapie reference by Lucas but I look at it this way: they're are some corrupt companies out there with creepy CEO's. It's a fact of life.
I have no doubt about the anti-Bush message in ROTS. Eventhough, the story is 28 years old, Lucas throws in references to current events i.e. Nute Gunray and Senator Lott Dodd and the impeachment of Chancellor Valorum in TPM.
Like others, I give political philosophy a day off and enjoy a great sci-fi saga
Won't get a penny from me.
Star Wars is so 70's. It's a shootem' up in space. What's the big deal?
Hierarchies of authority does not contradict the notion that all are equal and that resources can and should be shared equally among all. Marxism is very Christian, but Christian behavior is not possible this side of paradise, if for no other reason than we insist we know the best ways to distribute wealth rather than being willing to listen to G-d's Word on the subject.
Shalom.
The point is we are now going to start taking action against our enemies. Don't be in the way.
It was that simple and it is that simple.
I can't help it if the people in the room with you were too sophisticated to understand it.
Shalom.
You are either with me — or you are my enemy."
Actually, this sort of stuff was going around when the last movie came out. If you leave Bush out of it, the generic message is one you can learn from. That is, a benevolent "superpower" can become co-opted by people with evil intentions - and almost certainly eventually will.
This is why it is so important to keep Hillary away from the white house.
I read that Lucas denied any Bush Bashing.
Everyone knew that though, it was a given. He shouldn't have needed to tack on the other bit.
Don't be in the way.
Or what?
Don't you see, he wasn't planing on doing anything, it was mindless belligerence designed to cater to the sympathies of the mob. Once you start from the perspective that all the world is against you, where do you go? I don't think Bush is evil, a Hitler or even a Caesar, I voted for him twice, as I always vote for the more conservative and moral of two candidates; but, I DO think he is-as is true of all politicians-a poor diplomat. His duty to effect the world outside our boarders for the short term AND the long term benefit of the country he was chosen to lead is at odds with both the necessity of keeping his support among people at home, and the limited time he has to accomplish anything.
What Bush should have said would have been something like "We will do what we can to convince what friends we have in the world, that it is in their best interest to support us in this long over due endeavorer. But ultimately it is the duty of the government of the United States to do all it can to defend the citizenry and commonwealth of this nation, even if it must do it alone." But that doesn't sound as good as "Either you're with us or you're against us," at least to the masses.
Bush himself made the point during the debates last election. You can't make friend by disparaging them for the amount of help they are willing to give. Some times a diplomat has to go to allies with hat in hand, if for no other reason then to get things done. It might feel unfair, and maybe it is unfair, but it's how the world works. The problem for a politician is the mob isn't gonna vote for someone who does that. People vote for perceived power. Not for the soft-walker, but for the big stick.
I'm not saying he was wrong to say it, because I don't think he would have gotten the support he needed here without saying such things. What I thank is wrong, is that he NEEDS to cater to the mob. Our system has become so degraded by utopianist democratic ideals, we cannot even use logic and reason to analyze a problem but must consult the polls to find out what people think, as if that mattered one wit to objective truth. We must all backup our position with numbers, how many people agree with us and so forth. This touches on what hugoball was commenting on recently in his post to me concerning the demagogues who sway the masses with rhetoric. He suggests that what they are is, in a way, the anti-philosophers. If a philosopher tells you what he believes you need to hear, the simplificator tells you what you what he believes you want to hear. Democracy will, in general, favor the simplificators over the philosophers. Thus Bush must speak as a demagogue so as to compete with demagogues in an arena which favors demagogues. It is this reality which fills me with despondency.
Here is another anecdote; I was asked by a friend of mine, who is in the army now, and stationed in North Korea, what was my position on going to war with Iraq. I made no mention of WMD or any of the generally stated reasons such as the danger Saddam poses to the US. I asked her to get back to me once they started unearthing the mass graves.
See, to me, the relative danger Saddam poses to anyone outside Iraq is an academic question. Saddam WAS a mass murderer, that was enough for me and should have been enough for anyone. I don't really care if he was allied with OBL, or with any other terrorists. I supported getting rid of him for philosophical reason which are unassailable.
Now, after all that, to your other post : )
Hierarchies of authority does not contradict the notion that all are equal and that resources can and should be shared equally among all. Marxism is very Christian, but Christian behavior is not possible this side of paradise, if for no other reason than we insist we know the best ways to distribute wealth rather than being willing to listen to G-d's Word on the subject.
As the Historian Toynbee said, Marxism is rather like a page of the New Testament riped out of context and deliberately misinterpreted. At least, I think it was Toynbee : /
We are equal in some things. Hierarchies of authority do in fact contradict the notion that we are equal in everything. For we are not all equal in authority if we are subject to hierarchies (thus not everyone is the father in the family). All men are created equal in their fundamental humanity, i.e. In their nature and spirit. For all men need the same basic things to live naturally, and all are of an equal spirit at the moments of their creations. However, God in his infinite wisdom, made us of variable qualities irrespective of our sovereign humanity. This is why I go to a doctor when I'm sick, and a tailer when I need new clothes. Likewise I go to someone who's intellectual temperament has led them to a life of serious study of the subject to learn philosophy and literature, than to someone who was never really interested in books or philosophy. In other words, accepting my own nature as a social animal, I do what is the most logical thing for me to do and subjugate myself to professional advice for what ever subject or activity I am not myself inclined, or am inexperienced in. Perhaps I am less free that I am so dependent. But I'm a social animal. Thus I see that the equal share of resources would work against man's social nature, and would tend towards independence. I don't believe this was God's intent, ever. Unless you believe that the variance in one man's temperaments and his intellectual talents and abilities from any other's is also the result of The Fall. I don't believe it is.
Well done.
"I had a bad feeling about this" thread - glad I read it - now I won't have to worry. If this is the most anti-Bush the leftists can come up with, then no worries.
I was kind of worried it would ruin the movie for me.
May the Force be with you -
Diva's Husband
Although she is a lib, and none of us who know her can figure out WHY she joined, so maybe... nah I don't think so.
I don't have time to do your entire comment justice. However, this phrase suggests you don't understand the important difference between leadership and diplomacy. As you noted, the Presidency is a position of leadership. Bush's version of "move it or lose it" was exactly what was needed and produced some valuable results that your more "nuanced" version would never have produced, and it was urgent enough that the results were achieved in the short time he was in office. There may be unforseen ramifications, but there are always those, even in "nuanced" pronouncements.
I'm glad he did it the way he did. We needed a "no more mister nice guy" talk from the top.
Shalom.
I submit that the real reason your conclusions are different is that, based upon you last post, it made you feel good to hear him take the "no more mister nice guy" approach, regardless of whether he meant follow it up or not.
I've been a die hard Star Wars fan since the beginning, but this one I won't go to.
Having anti-Bush propaganda shoved into the film has ruined any joy I would have had seeing it.
I may never see it. If one of these years, Lucas looks back and decides Bush started a good trend in the Middle East with his actions there and says so publicly, then maybe I will get to see this movie.
Lucas is a candy a$$.
He would mess his pants if he came anywhere near a real war.
You won't starve if you boycott liberals.
Decent Americans grow your food, and food for the world.
Central Valley of California went for Bush in 2000 and 2004.
No, it's because I think it was needed. The Mr. Nice Guy approach cost us 3,000 lives in one day. Sometimes a leader has to make a stand.
The President is not a diplomat, isn't supposed to be a diplomat, and I don't want to waste time on a President who is. He has State to help him in that area. I wouldn't want him drawing such a clear line in the sand every time he gets a wild hair up his a$$, but I think it was exactly what was called for. Not just because it worked, but because it was right.
Shalom.
] My husband can't stand the child slavery. He thinks it has undertones beyond that, too.
That may be why some people subconsciously find it too creepy to watch.
Lucas can dissent all he wants, but we're not going to pay $16.00 plus snacks to watch him do it.
MY dissent is just as worthy as his, ...or don't you agree with that?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.