Latest news with #StarWarsDay
Sydney Morning Herald
2 days ago
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
A drawer full of heads and 30 million bricks: inside the secret warehouse where Lego masterpieces are built
Sitting at tables around the warehouse or standing around models are the Lego builders painstakingly placing bricks, after consulting computer models that show the 'rough shape' of where the bricks go. One group of six are working side by side on a giant model of a beanie, which they are creating for a motor neurone disease charity event. Another Lego builder is working on a model of a dinosaur destined for a Lego store in New Delhi in India. No photographs are allowed that include any of the Lego builds under construction because of strict confidentiality agreements. Overhead cameras film each Lego build on time-lapse, with the footage to be released once the build is finished, and small exhaust pipes hang from each work station to extract the fumes from all the glue. While building Lego might be literally child's play, McNaught and his team take it very seriously. 'Everybody knows how to put two Lego bricks together, that's an easy thing to do,' he says. 'We teach a certain method and style of Lego building.' McNaught says Lego is not designed to be made into giant structures, so there is a lot of skill and technique in the 'artistry of Lego' which needs to be taught. He uses a method called 'north, south, east, west', which means that you alternate direction when building layers of bricks, which helps with strength and stability. 'There's also a technique we use called SNOT, which stands for studs not on top. We turn bricks in different directions, which give us shearing strength,' he says. 'There's a whole heap of things like that. On average, it takes a person about two years before they're proficient in those techniques. Call it an apprenticeship, if you will.' The Lego builders work at adjustable tables to protect their backs, and McNaught says the main occupational hazard is calluses from the hard plastic blocks. 'We have really good calluses on our fingers,' he says. 'If you look at anyone who's a builder, you can see exactly whether they're left-handed or right-handed or both-handed, because of the calluses.' McNaught is one of only 21 certified Lego professionals in the world, which gives him permission to use the Lego brand and to contract to Lego. But this title does not give McNaught any discount on the crates of Lego he purchases. 'We wish,' he laughs. 'We pay a fortune for Lego. We're the No.2 or 3 consumer of Lego in the world.' Loading McNaught estimates he has 30 million Lego bricks in his warehouse, with the Star Wars Lego exhibition alone using more than 8 million bricks and taking McNaught and his team more than 25,000 hours to build. The exhibition opened on Star Wars Day, May 4, and runs until the end of January; 35,627 tickets have already been sold. Tim Rolfe, director of exhibitions and experiences at Museums Victoria, said the exhibition was on track to be a bestseller.
The Age
2 days ago
- Business
- The Age
A drawer full of heads and 30 million bricks: inside the secret warehouse where Lego masterpieces are built
Sitting at tables around the warehouse or standing around models are the Lego builders painstakingly placing bricks, after consulting computer models that show the 'rough shape' of where the bricks go. One group of six are working side by side on a giant model of a beanie, which they are creating for a motor neurone disease charity event. Another Lego builder is working on a model of a dinosaur destined for a Lego store in New Delhi in India. No photographs are allowed that include any of the Lego builds under construction because of strict confidentiality agreements. Overhead cameras film each Lego build on time-lapse, with the footage to be released once the build is finished, and small exhaust pipes hang from each work station to extract the fumes from all the glue. While building Lego might be literally child's play, McNaught and his team take it very seriously. 'Everybody knows how to put two Lego bricks together, that's an easy thing to do,' he says. 'We teach a certain method and style of Lego building.' McNaught says Lego is not designed to be made into giant structures, so there is a lot of skill and technique in the 'artistry of Lego' which needs to be taught. He uses a method called 'north, south, east, west', which means that you alternate direction when building layers of bricks, which helps with strength and stability. 'There's also a technique we use called SNOT, which stands for studs not on top. We turn bricks in different directions, which give us shearing strength,' he says. 'There's a whole heap of things like that. On average, it takes a person about two years before they're proficient in those techniques. Call it an apprenticeship, if you will.' The Lego builders work at adjustable tables to protect their backs, and McNaught says the main occupational hazard is calluses from the hard plastic blocks. 'We have really good calluses on our fingers,' he says. 'If you look at anyone who's a builder, you can see exactly whether they're left-handed or right-handed or both-handed, because of the calluses.' McNaught is one of only 21 certified Lego professionals in the world, which gives him permission to use the Lego brand and to contract to Lego. But this title does not give McNaught any discount on the crates of Lego he purchases. 'We wish,' he laughs. 'We pay a fortune for Lego. We're the No.2 or 3 consumer of Lego in the world.' Loading McNaught estimates he has 30 million Lego bricks in his warehouse, with the Star Wars Lego exhibition alone using more than 8 million bricks and taking McNaught and his team more than 25,000 hours to build. The exhibition opened on Star Wars Day, May 4, and runs until the end of January; 35,627 tickets have already been sold. Tim Rolfe, director of exhibitions and experiences at Museums Victoria, said the exhibition was on track to be a bestseller.
Metro
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Star Wars Battlefront 3 needs to have these new features - Reader's Feature
A reader reacts to the sudden popularity of Star Wars Battlefront 2 by making suggestions for how a sequel could improve on it. I enjoyed the recent articles about the best Star Wars games and the iconic TIE Fighter game, which GameCentral did for Star Wars Day recently. I particularly empathised with the bit about not even knowing whether you are a Star Wars fan anymore, given how many poor quality shows and movies there have been. And then, to my surprise, I found myself enjoying a bit of a high with the franchise, thanks to season 2 of Andor and the 20th anniversary of Revenge Of The Sith. Two very different things and you could argue Revenge Of The Sith is not a good movie but it's weird and funny and entertaining in a way bad Star Wars can be sometimes. Because it's a strange series, where you have genuinely good things, cheesy but entertaining things, and absolutely terrible things. And that goes for the movies, the shows… and the games. Obviously, that's what I'm going to try and write about now, because I was inspired by the sudden increase in popularity for Star Wars Battlefront 2, which is being played by more people now (on Steam at least) than when it was released eight years ago. I'm not entirely sure why it blew up like this, but I assume it was because of Star Wars Day and the new releases – and then people just realised that it's actually a really good game. They probably didn't know at first because it was caught up in all the controversy over loot boxes, which EA removed, and a lot of the best maps and characters came with the DLC. Even so, it was not a perfect game. As GameCentral pointed out, the gunplay is not great, and while the ship combat is fine it doesn't integrate into the ground action as well as the old PlayStation 2 game. The hope now is that EA will think about making a third game and apparently a lot of the developers are keen on making it too. Of course, it's not up to them though, especially not given how expensive a game like this would be. But there's so much more Star Wars stuff that could go into a new game now, compared to eight years ago, and it wouldn't have to rely on the awful sequels at all. In fact, I imagine most people would prefer they be left out as much as possible, especially given the upsurge in appreciation for the prequels recently. But other than the six main films I'd like to see more from The Clone Wars and Rebels, as well as The Mandalorian, Ahsoka (she's barely in the current game, beyond one set of skins), Skeleton Crew, and Andor. You'll see a lot of fans saying the game should have a 100 maps or whatever, as a reaction to the current game not launching with much content, but that's just silly. It just needs variety. With all the good stuff we've had lately you can go from prequel era sci-fi fantasy, to space pirates, to weird Force temples, to grounded fights on Coruscant, and jetpack battles on Mandalore. All of these shows have brough their own new vehicles and mounts too, so it doesn't just have to be the same old, and it doesn't matter if you've seen the shows or not because it's just cool designs at the end of the day. I'd also like to see the ability to travel from the ground to space in one map, which is something that was planned for a cancelled PlayStation 2 game but which we still haven't seen in the modern day. Basically, I want to see every possible aspect of the mechanical side of Star Wars in one game, from the weapons to the vehicles to the ships. More Trending I've nothing against Jedi being in it but I think it's important that doesn't over overwhelm. This needs to be the definitive Star Wars combat game and I really hope EA makes it. By reader Gabbo The reader's features do not necessarily represent the views of GameCentral or Metro. You can submit your own 500 to 600-word reader feature at any time, which if used will be published in the next appropriate weekend slot. Just contact us at gamecentral@ or use our Submit Stuff page and you won't need to send an email. MORE: 5 reasons why I'm not buying a Nintendo Switch 2 this year - Reader's Feature MORE: Nintendo Switch 2 is going to be a third party port machine – Reader's Feature MORE: PS6 is Sony's chance to wipe the slate clean and forget the PS5 ever happened - Reader's Feature
Forbes
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
‘Star Wars' Music Dominates The Billboard Charts
As Star Wars Day renews interest in the franchise, multiple Star Wars soundtracks return to ... More Billboard's Classical charts, with one new debut among them. CANNES, France: Soldiers of the Empire stand guard at the entrance of the Festival Palace as photographers wait for US director George Lucas and his cast to come out, at the end of the screening of their film "Star Wars : Episode III - Revenge of the Sith", 15 May 2005 at the 58th edition of the Cannes International Film Festival. The seminal sci-fi saga "Star Wars" comes to a rousing close 15 May when the final episode in the six-part series gets its international premiere at the Cannes film festival. The Cannes film festival, the world's top showcase of cinema, started 11 May with a slew of veteran auteurs lining up for the prestigious Palme d'Or prize, and Hollywood muscling in to promote this year's blockbusters. AFP PHOTO GERARD JULIEN (Photo credit should read GERARD JULIEN/AFP via Getty Images) May 4 is internationally recognized as Star Wars Day, as the date is a play on the iconic phrase "May the force be with you," which is a hallmark saying of the hugely successful franchise. Each year, fans honor the vision of George Lucas vision by rewatching the many films — and, apparently, by returning to the music that accompanied them. This renewed interest is reflected on the Billboard charts this week, as several collections from the brand become hits again. As Star Wars surges in popularity again, multiple albums have returned to various charts — and there's even a new arrival. John Williams: The Star Wars Trilogy debuts on two Billboard rankings this frame. The full-length, credited to Varujan Kojian and the Utah Symphony Orchestra, opens at No. 4 on both the Classical Albums and Classical Crossover Albums charts. It's the second-highest rising new title this frame, landing just behind Gems by Josh Groban, which leads both lists. Several other projects from the Star Wars universe return to both tallies this frame. Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back reappears at No. 11 on the Classical Crossover Albums list and No. 12 on the Classical Albums chart. Star Wars: A New Hope is only a few spaces further down, landing once again at No. 13 on the Classical Crossover Albums ranking and No. 16 on the all-encompassing Classical Albums roster. In total, Star Wars music fills four spaces on both Classical Albums charts this frame. Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith dips slightly from where it stood last time. That film — and its accompanying score — has returned to the spotlight following a theatrical re-release in celebration of its twentieth anniversary. While fans continue to support the score, there's more competition now as Star Wars becomes a trending topic all over again. Except for the brand new arrival, all three albums are credited to both John Williams and the London Symphony Orchestra. Star Wars Episode III also credits a group called London Voices. Though Williams doesn't earn a new win on the charts with the debut, his name remains front and center in the album title, as it's his music that fuels this lasting success.
Tatler Asia
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Tatler Asia
5 times Star Wars' ‘Andor' mirrors real-world history in the most visceral way
We're not referencing any particular moment; we're referencing the human condition. It's about the fact that human beings are always the same. The circumstances change, but the behaviour doesn't. - Tony Gilroy, 'Andor' showrunner and screenwriter - Although Gilroy has dismissed speculation that he drew direct parallels to current world events, he has acknowledged that ' Andor is like a catalogue of a couple of thousand years of repetitive cruelty and oppression.' 'If you look at history, every 50 or 100 years, the same things happen. People rise up, people are oppressed, and the cycle continues,' he told Variety , noting that he drew inspiration from various historical events and figures while also referencing films like The Battle of Algiers and This Land is Mine for visual and thematic influence. Don't miss: 10 most expensive Lego Star Wars sets to bring home on Star Wars Day We unpack some of the thematic connections that make the series feel urgent, relevant, and deeply human–demonstrating that even in a galaxy far, far away, everything remains painfully familiar. Authoritarianism and fascism Above 'Star Wars' creator George Lucas has acknowledged how historical events like the rise of the Third Reich shaped the Empire (Photo: WikiCommons) Above Imperial uniforms and Darth Vader's imposing black attire deliberately echo those of the Nazi Schutzstaffel (Photo: Pinterest) Originally conceived during the Richard Nixon administration in the late 1960s and early 1970s, Star Wars creator George Lucas has consistently acknowledged how fascism, authoritarianism, and real-world historical events–particularly the rise of the Third Reich–shaped his vision of the Empire. In fact, this historical grounding was embedded in the franchise's visual DNA from the beginning. Clear examples include the Empire's stormtroopers, whose name derives from Hitler's Sturmabteilung (SA), the original paramilitary organisation under Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party of Germany. Similarly, Imperial uniforms and Darth Vader's imposing black attire deliberately echo those of the Schutzstaffel (SS), the 'political soldiers' of the Nazi Party. Photo 1 of 2 The Imperial Security Bureau (ISB) represents an amalgamation of the Gestapo, the Stasi and KGB (Photo: Lucasfilm) Photo 2 of 2 The ISB monitors populations, and suppress dissent through propaganda and brute force (Photo: Lucasfilm) Above Denise Gough portrays the ambitious ISB agent Dedra Meero (Photo: Instagram / @andorofficial) Above Ben Mendelsohn reprises his 'Rogue One' role as Orson Krennic (Photo: Instagram / @mandoade_77) These parallels, of course, persist in the Andor series, which is set during the height of Imperial control in the canonical timeline. While iconic characters like Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker are notably absent, the series deepens these established connections, providing richer insights into the mechanisms of authoritarian rule through its portrayal of the Imperial Security Bureau (ISB). Read more: From 'The Last of Us' to 'The Fantastic Four': First Steps': Pedro Pascal is dominating the spotlight As the Empire's internal intelligence, surveillance, and secret police apparatus, the ISB represents a chilling amalgamation of real-world organisations such as the Gestapo (Nazi Germany), the Stasi (East Germany), and the KGB (Soviet Union). Highly bureaucratic, deeply paranoid, and ruthlessly efficient, the ISB employs advanced technology and intricate administrative systems to monitor populations, and suppress dissent through propaganda and brute force–in an effort to maintain the Emperor's iron grip across the galaxy. A revolutionary heist Above The guerilla-style operation to seize the Imperial payroll from a heavily fortified garrison (Photo: Instagram / @andorofficial) In season one, the pivotal Aldhani Heist marks a watershed moment not only for Andor but for the entire Star Wars saga–representing the first coordinated strike by what would eventually evolve into the Rebel Alliance. The story arc saw Andor join Vel Sartha (portrayed by Faye Marsay) and her ragtag rebel crew embedded on Aldhani–consisting of Cinta Kaz (Varada Sethu), Taramyn Barcona (Gershwyn Eustache Jr), Arvel Skeen (Ebon Moss-Bachrach), Karis Nemik (Alex Lawther) and their Imperial insider Lieutenant Gorn (Sule Rimi)–for a covert but audacious operation to seize the Imperial payroll from a heavily fortified garrison. See also: Doing the impossible: How the Rural Doctors Movement started a healthcare revolution in Thailand A heist designed to shock the Empire, provoke a response, and show the galaxy that resistance is possible, it is inspired by the infamous 1907 Tiflis bank robbery orchestrated by Joseph Stalin–whom Gilroy quipped Luna's Andor looks like–and his Bolshevik comrades against Tsarist Russia. Above Yeveran Square, where the Tiflis robbery took place in 1907 (Photo: WikiCommons) The historical robbery in Tiflis (present-day Tbilisi, Georgia) aimed to finance revolutionary activities against the Russian Empire. The Bolsheviks successfully seized approximately 300,000 rubles–equivalent to roughly US$1 million at the time–by launching a precisely timed attack on a bank transport using explosives and firearms, resulting in numerous casualties. Furthermore, both operations feature small, determined groups executing calculated, high-risk missions against seemingly invincible imperial powers; reflecting tactics employed by various 20th-century revolutionary movements, particularly leftist guerrilla organisations that utilised asymmetric warfare and strategic strikes to destabilise established regimes. Don't miss: Netflix: The best true crime shows you need to watch Labour and immigration Above Narkina 5 inmates were labour prisoners exploited for industrial production (Photo: Lucasfilm) Following the events on Aldhani in season one, Andor is abruptly apprehended–quite literally–by a KX-series security droid, one of which will eventually become his trusted companion in Rogue One . While hiding out on Niamos, he is falsely convicted and sent to serve time in the Imperial prison complex on Narkina 5, the sterile, electrically enforced Imperial prison complex, where inmates are reduced to little more than production units, forced to work twelve-hour shifts to assemble mysterious mechanical components (for the Death Star) under the constant threat of electrocution for failing to meet quotas. Read more: Professor Dato' Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman weighs in on drug policy reform, higher education and overcoming challenges The prison's hyper-regimented environment and systematic dehumanisation present an unflinching depiction of forced labour systems–not as aberrations, but as deliberate tools of Imperial control, while prisoners are psychologically manipulated into monitoring one another, clinging to the false hope of eventual 'release.' Above Uncomfortable parallels in Soviet gulags and Nazi conentration camps (Photo: WikiCommons) Narkina 5's meticulous efficiency and disregard for human dignity finds uncomfortable parallels in Soviet gulags–established in 1918 after the Russian Revolution, where hope was weaponised as control, and labour prisoners exploited for industrial production; before they were systematically exterminated, much like the prisoners in Nazi concentration camps during the Second World War. Andor echoes this grim historical reality through the off-screen mass execution of inmates on another level, following an accidental readmission that revealed the facility's 'recycling' system of transferring prisoners between levels instead of releasing them. See also: Behind Anora: The Oscar-winning story of love, chaos and Sean Baker's bold vision Above Bix Caleen (Adria Arjona), Wilmon Paak (Muhannad Bhaier), and Brasso (Joplin Sibtain) end up as undocumented labourers in Mina-Rau (Photo: Lucasfilm) Later, when Andor's allies from Ferrix–Bix Caleen (Adria Arjona), Wilmon Paak (Muhannad Bhaier), and Brasso (Joplin Sibtain)–end up as undocumented labourers in Mina-Rau in season two, the show draws a clear parallel to the modern-day plight of migrant workers. Performing essential labour while living in constant precarity, these characters mirror real-world migrants who face the threat of deportation, lack of legal protections, and limited recourse against exploitation. Above Migrant labourers routinely endure wage theft, hazardous working conditions, and systemic exploitation (Photo: WikiCommons) Much like the Empire's approach to maintaining control and suppressing dissent, these conditions reflect the lived experiences of undocumented workers in countries, such as the United States, and the Middle East–particularly in Saudi Arabia and Qatar, where Amnesty International reports have recently revealed migrant workers facing serious abuses. Despite forming the backbone of key industries such as agriculture, construction, and food service, migrant labourers routinely endure wage theft, hazardous working conditions, and systemic exploitation–vulnerabilities that are magnified by their immigration status, which dramatically restricts their ability to advocate for fair treatment or improved conditions. Don't miss: Malaysian social enterprise Pinkcollar is driving ethical recruitment for migrant workers forward Protests and massacres Photo 1 of 2 Maarva Andor (Fiona Shaw) galvanising the people of Ferrix against the Empire (Photo: Lucasfilm) Photo 2 of 2 The Imperial forces were caught off guard in Ferrix's seemingly unassuming uprising (Photo: Lucasfilm) When push comes to shove for the meek and powerless, something is bound to break; and this nuanced exploration of the cycle of oppression and resistance in Andor reaches its crescendo during the finale episode of season one, when the people of Ferrix gather for Andor's surrogate mother Maarva's (Fiona Shaw) funeral. Long suffering under Imperial occupation, Ferrix citizens use the ritual of mourning as an act of defiance, catching Imperial forces completely off guard in their uprising. While the Ferrix funeral riot bears particular resemblance to the funeral of journalist Shireen Abu Akleh in East Jerusalem in 2022–when Israeli forces attacked mourners carrying her coffin–this climactic sequence in the season finale resembles large-scale civil unrest, akin to crackdowns like the 1989 Tiananmen Massacre. Demonstrators in Beijing, who gathered initially with hopes for dialogue and reform, discovered that authoritarian regimes ultimately resort to overwhelming force when their authority is challenged. The Chinese government deployed tanks against unarmed students, killing hundreds to thousands of civilians–a complete death toll that remains unknown to this day. Read more: From frustration to force: activist and ecofeminist Ili Nadiah Dzulfakar on redefining climate justice in Malaysia Photo 1 of 2 Tension between the Empire and the local population escalate dramatically, culminating in the tragic and pivotal Ghorman Massacre (Photo: Lucasfilm) Photo 2 of 2 The Ghorman resistance party portrayed by predominantly French-speaking actors, evoking parallels to the French Resistance, and emphasising their role as a passionate but ultimately doomed insurgent community (Photo: Lucasfilm) Throughout season two, audiences sense the proverbial penny in the air that is bound to drop in the most brutal way when Director Orson Krennic (Ben Mendelsohn, who reprises his role from Rogue One ) focuses on Ghorman–a culturally rich but politically volatile planet reminiscent of historic textile cities like Milan and Turin–due to the city-planet's abundance of kalkite, a resource tied to the construction of the Death Star. Tension between the Empire and the local population escalates dramatically over the next few episodes, culminating in the tragic and pivotal Ghorman Massacre–a dark turning point that establishes Ghorman as a symbol of sacrifice and resistance that 'will burn, very brightly,' just as Luthen Rael (Stellan Skarsgård) anticipated. This fictional massacre evokes unmistakable parallels to South Africa's Sharpeville Massacre in 1960, during a peaceful demonstration organised by the Pan-Africanist Congress (PAC), a splinter group from the African National Congress (ANC). The police claimed some demonstrators began stoning officers and armoured vehicles, and opened fire with submachine guns on the crowd. The allegations were challenged when notably, many victims were shot in the back, indicating they were fleeing when fired upon. See also: The nature of resilience: Jane Goodall remains steadfast in her commitment to protecting the natural world One of the most violent and pivotal events in South Africa's anti-apartheid struggle, the shooting resulted in the deaths of 69 people, including women and children, and wounded over 180 others. While the event led to increased repression in the country, it also galvanised greater international condemnation with some activists moving towards armed resistance. Casualties and catalysts Above Complex individuals whose humanity gradually erodes through systematic indoctrination (Photo: Instagram / @andorofficial) Adding another level of nuance to Andor 's storytelling is the unyielding examination of how seemingly ordinary individuals become cogs in the machinery of oppression through a lifetime of Imperial conditioning. Rather than focusing on the Empire's highest echelons, Andor offers a glimpse into the psyches and lives of mid-level enforcers. Characters like Dedra Meero (Denise Gough) and Syril Karn (Kyle Soller) aren't merely cartoon villains but complex individuals whose humanity gradually–if it hasn't already–erodes through systematic indoctrination. Above Meero (Gough) is steeped in Imperial conditioning (Photo: Instagram / @andorofficial) Above Kyle Soller portrays Syril Karn in the 'Andor' series (Photo: Instagram / @andorofficial) Meero, who reveals in a later episode of season two that she grew up in the Imperial Kinder-block, is steeped in Imperial conditioning and justifies her actions through blind adherence to protocol. Meanwhile, Karn, when an enlightening revelation strips him of his institutional identity, he wanders purposelessly through Palmo Square in Ghorman until he fixates on Andor– the one person who gave meaning to his otherwise mundane life as a deputy inspector on Morlana One at the start of the series–desperate to restore his sense of belonging. Above Front row, left to right: Hermann Göring, Rudolf Heß, and Joachim von Ribbentrop at the Nuremberg trials (Photo: WikiCommons) Above Adolf Eichmann in the glass booth during the 1961 Eichmann trial, where he received a death sentence (Photo: WikiCommons) These characters serve as chilling illustrations of what Hannah Arendt termed 'the banality of evil' in her coverage of the Eichmann trial in the 1960s against Nazi SS officer Adolf Eichmann, who was primarily responsible for implementing the Final Solution. 'A man who drifted into the Nazi Party, in search of purpose and direction, not out of deep ideological belief,' as Arendt described Eichmann–and, by and large, the many Nazi officers who claimed they were 'simply following orders' during the Nuremberg Trials in the 1940s; the historian and philosopher noted how ordinary people can commit harmful acts simply by not questioning their actions or the situations they face. Don't miss: Justice Centre Hong Kong's Lynette Nam on navigating the legal challenges in empowering refugees Above Senator Mon Mothma's (Genevieve O'Reilly) political awakening is analogous to notable world leaders following sociopolitical calamities (Photo: Instagram / @andorofficial) Yet amid this oppression, while calamity serves as a destroyer in crushing ordinary people, it simultaneously forges extraordinary leaders from them. Following the canonical atrocity that is the Ghorman Massacre, Senator Mon Mothma (Genevieve O'Reilly) is pushed to publicly denounce Emperor Palpatine on the Senate floor in front of senators who have sworn allegiance to the Empire. Catalytically, she also helps establish the Rebel Alliance that becomes the collective protagonist of the original Star Wars trilogy. Above Nelson Mandela's (left) leadership began following the Sharpeville Massacre in 1960 (Photo: WikiCommons) Mothma's political awakening is analogous to Nelson Mandela's leadership following the Sharpeville Massacre, when armed forces killed and injured protestors demonstrating against the apartheid-era passing laws to restrict their movement. Mandela and the African National Congress (ANC) shifted from non-violent protest to armed resistance shortly after, recognising the limits of peaceful protest under apartheid–marking a turning point in the anti-apartheid movement. Read more: These Asian social justice champions are leading the fight for human dignity Ultimately, while Andor successfully showcases what Gilroy and many others have observed about humanity–the circadian rhythm of authoritarianism that resurfaces every few generations–it also reveals how resistance invariably emerges as part of the cyclical nature as well. Though all the bad is bound to happen again, so will all the good. That is the sliver of hope one can take away from a momentous series like Andor –and what are rebellions, if not built on hope? Both seasons of 'Andor,' 'Rogue One' and other 'Star Wars' films and series are now streaming on Disney+ NOW READ From Merdeka 118 to the Blue Mansion: Malaysia's most spectacular film locations that have captivated international cinema 8 movies that sold more toys than tickets Millennial movies: the low-key traumatic films responsible for a generation's paranoia
