Latest news with #Stormtroopers
Los Angeles Times
05-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
One Shot: The image that defines the cinematic ‘jigsaw puzzle' of ‘Andor' Season 2
The final season of 'Andor' required visual storytellers to craft a stylized tapestry that reflected each episode's underlying themes while unifying the whole. 'We treated every three episodes almost like a movie and gave them their own identity,' says cinematographer Christophe Nuyens, who photographed the first six episodes. In 'Harvest,' the challenge was balancing lighting sources and camera movement to link two sharply contrasting storylines: the elaborate wedding of Rebel Alliance leader Mon Mothma's daughter and Stormtroopers in search of undocumented workers on Mina-Rau, which climaxes in a surprise death. 'It was important visually that everything could fall nicely together, so for the first three episodes, we decided to play in a sunnier environment,' he says. 'The Stormtrooper scene was like a jigsaw puzzle. We had to mix a practical location with a staged set and then all the TIE fighter stuff was also shot on a stage.' Adding to the scale was the cinematographer's use of a large-format camera and Ultra Vista lenses. 'It was important to use a big sensor as it gives you the feel and scope almost like in 'Rogue One,'' says Nuyens. 'It was the biggest change we made this season and I think those lenses make it look really nice.'
Los Angeles Times
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
Proposed bill would ban ICE agents, law enforcement from wearing masks in California
SACRAMENTO — In response to immigration raids by masked federal officers in Los Angeles and across the nation, two California lawmakers on Monday proposed a new state law to ban members of law enforcement from concealing their faces while on the job. The bill would make it a misdemeanor for local, state and federal law enforcement officers to cover their faces with some exceptions, and also encourage them to wear a form of identification on their uniform. 'We're really at risk of having, effectively, secret police in this country,' said state Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), co-author of the bill. During a news conference in San Francisco announcing the legislation, Wiener criticized the Trump administration for targeting illegal immigrants without criminal records and alleged that current tactics allow ICE agents to make themselves appear to be local police in some cases. Under the proposal, law enforcement officials would be exempted from the mask ban if they serve on a SWAT team or if a mask is necessary for medical or health reasons, including to prevent smoke inhalation. Recent immigration enforcement sweeps have left communities throughout California and the country frightened and unsure if federal officials are legitimate because of their shrouded faces and lack of identification, said Sen. Jesse Arreguín (D-Berkeley), co-author and chair of the Senate Public Safety Committee. He said the bill would provide transparency and discourage impersonators. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection agencies, called the proposal 'despicable,' saying it posed a threat to law enforcement officers by identifying them and subjecting them to retaliation. 'We will prosecute those who dox ICE agents to the fullest extent of the law. The men and women of ICE put their lives on the line every day to arrest violent criminal illegal aliens to protect and defend the lives of American citizens,' the department said in a post on the social media site X. 'Make no mistake, this type of rhetoric is contributing to the surge in assaults of ICE officers through their repeated vilification and demonization of ICE.' Wiener, however, said members of law enforcement are public servants and people need to see their faces so they can be held accountable for their actions. He likened ICE officials to Stormtroopers, fictional helmeted soldiers from the movie 'Star Wars,' and said masking the faces and concealing the names of law enforcement officials shields them from public scrutiny and from the communities they are meant to serve. 'We don't want to move towards that kind of model where law enforcement becomes almost like an occupying army, disconnected from the community, and that's what it is when you start hiding their face, hiding the identity,' he said. California law already bans wearing a mask or other disguise, including a fake mustache, wig or beard to hide your identity and evade law enforcement while committing a crime, but there are no current laws about what police can or cannot wear. It was unclear whether the proposal would affect undercover or plainclothes police officers, or if a state law could apply to federal police forces. The proposal is being offered as an amendment to Senate Bill 627, a housing measure that would essentially be eviscerated. The bill also includes an intent clause, which is not legally binding, that says the legislature would work to require all law enforcement within the state to display their name on their uniforms. 'Finding a balance between public transparency and trust, along with officer safety, is critical when we're talking about creating state laws that change the rules for officers that are being placed into conflict situations,' Jason Salazar, president of the California Police Chief Assn., said in a statement. 'We have been in touch with Senator Wiener, who reached out ahead of the introduction of this bill, and we will engage in discussions with him and his office to share our concerns so that we ensure the safety of law enforcement first responders is a top priority.' Wiener said the new measure would make it clearer who is a police officer and who is not, which would be essential in the wake of the politically motivated killing of a Minnesota state lawmaker and her husband, and the attempted killing of another politician and his wife. The suspect, Vance Boelter, is accused of knocking on the doors of the lawmakers in the middle of the night and announcing himself as a police officer to get them to open up, authorities said. U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), wrote in an X post that the bill would endanger ICE agents. 'Do not forget — targeted attacks on ICE agents are up 413%. This is yet another shameless attempt to put them in harm's way,' she said.
The Star
13-06-2025
- Health
- The Star
Malaysian father-son barbers have cut hair for over 1,000 kids on the spectrum
Darmalingam Manickam, 73, and his son Sivarajah, 47, are hairstylists who have, at times, been bitten, scratched and even spat on by their customers. But the father-and-son team from Bangi, Selangor, take it all in their stride. Many of their customers are children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) – and both of them understand exactly what it takes to care for and connect with neurodivergent kids. Darmalingam's late sister, Malani, had low-functioning autism. Growing up with her gave him a deep insight into the challenges and needs of individuals on the spectrum. Darmalingam (right) says it's important to make children feel at ease so they are comfortable throughout the The Star/Sheela Chandran 'My sister was my 'teacher',' says Darmalingam. 'It's only when you have a sibling with disability that you begin to truly understand what it means to care for and love someone so deeply.' Malani lived with Darmalingam's family until she passed away from uterine cancer at the age of 46. Growing up alongside his aunt, Sivarajah was already familiar with the challenges and care involved in supporting a person with disabilities. Clippers, care and compassion Associated with a wide range of behaviours and developmental differences, ASD is a lifelong condition. Individuals with autism often require ongoing support throughout their lives. According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), autism affects approximately one in 31 children aged eight years old. Based on this statistics, the National Autism Society of Malaysia (Nasom) estimates that around 9,000 children are born with autism in Malaysia each year. Common characteristics of ASD include difficulties with social interaction, challenges in interpreting non-verbal communication and intense focus on specific interests. Many children on the spectrum experience sensory overload and often struggle to cope with everyday sounds – including the snipping of scissors and the buzzing of a trimmer. While these sounds may seem ordinary to most of us, they can be overwhelming and even distressing for a child with autism, sometimes triggering anxiety, fear or a meltdown. Darmalingam's hair studio has been thoughtfully decorated to be inviting and interesting for kids – a colourful space where children can relax while they get their haircut. The walls are adorned with spinning flower wheels, and baskets with toys are scattered around the room. Colourful character masks including Marvel's Iron Man , Star Wars' Stormtroopers, and the Minions from Despicable Me hang on the walls. Darmalingam's studio is designed as a space where children feel welcome, calm, safe and relaxed. Even the hairdryers are jazzed up with gold tape and stickers to make them more appealing to young customers. The hair clippers are specially chosen for their low noise levels, helping children feel more at ease during their haircuts. 'As a sweet reward after a haircut, we hand out lollipops and candies. You should see the big smile on their faces,' says Darmalingam. With his thick and well-groomed beard, Darmalingam is hard to miss. The septuagenarian dresses in a flamboyant outfit each day (think multi-coloured jackets, harem pants, bright sneakers and a turban adorned with embellishments). He wears an autism badge in support of kids on the spectrum too. Darmalingam (left) and his son Sivarajah are among the few hairstylists in the country who specialise in giving haircuts to children on the autism spectrum. Darmalingam shares: 'One of the key factors in cutting the hair of neurodivergent kids is making them feel comfortable. And they need to be distracted when we cut their hair.' Before becoming a barber, Darmalingam worked as a technician with Telekom Malaysia (TM) in Kuala Lumpur. He opened his barbering business – Mr D Hair Studio – in the late 1980s. Sivarajah helps autistic boy Arrian Rizky Mohd Jazlan, six, feel at ease during his haircut. Photo: The Star/Sheela Chandran 'I left my full-time job to care for my father, who had suffered a stroke, and my autistic sister,' shares the father of two. 'I've always had a passion for hairstyling since I was a teenager. Running my own barbershop gave me the flexibility to look after my ailing dad while pursuing a dream job,' explains Darmalingam. Sivarajah used to work as a customer service executive at TM. But in his mid-20s, he left his job to join his father full-time at the barbershop. Both father and son hold a diploma in hairstyling from a hairdressing academy in KL. 'We come from a middle-class family,' Sivarajah says. 'I decided to follow Appa's (father) footsteps because I wanted to continue the family business. We also wanted to build something of our own – something we can be proud of,' says Sivarajah, who uploads videos of their haircuts (for regular customers and for those with special needs) on Instagram (@mrdhairstudio). Snip by snip Mr D's Hair Studio has been in operation for nearly 40 years and has been welcoming children with autism for close to two decades. It all began one day when a young boy with autism came in for a haircut – after being turned away by other barbers who found him too difficult to handle. 'The boy was about four years old back then. In the beginning, I couldn't even bring him into the shop. My son and I had to trim his hair outside the studio because he found it hard to adjust to a new environment. But because of Malani, we knew how to handle him. We patiently coaxed him to get him familiar with our tools. Darmalingam wears an autism badge in support of kids on the spectrum. 'He's in his mid-20s now. Whenever he comes over, he hugs and kisses me. People on the spectrum need trust and that's how our bond develops,' says Darmalingam. Word about their service quickly spread within the autism community, with Nasom also helping to recommend them. Over the years, they have provided haircuts for hundreds – if not thousands – of children on the spectrum, ranging from low to high functioning. Now, they style the hair of about 60 to 70 autistic children each month. 'Some of them can't sit still – they spin around, move from chair to chair or even lie down. We simply follow their lead. Whether they prefer to be outside, inside or even on the floor, we adapt to whatever makes them comfortable. 'When dealing with children with autism who are aggressive, we use protective padding on our hands and pants,' says Sivarajah, who has two children. For Darmalingam, everyone is welcome to the barbershop – whether they have Down syndrome, autism, visual impairment or other conditions. 'We also spend anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour with each family, talking to the parents, offering advice on how to care for their child with special needs. It's almost like a therapy session,' says Darmalingam, adding their charges are from RM20. He hopes that someday, someone will come forward to help him open a dedicated hair studio tailored specifically for children on the spectrum. Thanks to their services, more members of the public are beginning to better understand autism. 'Most of our regular customers are used to seeing kids with special needs and are very understanding. Instead of judging them, our customers are calm and supportive when these kids have a meltdown. That's what true awareness really means,' says Sivarajah. Darmalingam (left) and Sivarajah are making haircuts a kinder experience for children on the spectrum. Cut from the same cloth Darmalingam, Sivarajah and their family all live under one roof – in a home located just above their hair studio. While the arrangement is convenient, Sivarajah admits that it isn't always easy. They work side by side from 10am to 9pm, six days a week. 'Everyone needs their own space,' Sivarajah admits. 'But we've learned a lot. It's all about compromise.' Darmalingam chips in: 'To make business and family work, understanding is key. At the studio, we give each other space – there's no overruling, even though I'm the father. 'If I don't agree with something, I just keep quiet. He's an adult, so I let him make his own decisions, right or wrong.' Agatheesan (right) is slowly learning the ropes of the barbering trade from his grandfather (centre) and father. Photo: Sivarajah Darmalingam The studio is closed on Tuesdays, to give the family a chance to rest and recharge. Occasionally, they do grocery shopping together, and at times, Darmalingam teaches his grandson, Agatheesan, 21, the ropes of the barbering trade. Sivarajah doesn't have any specific plans for Fathers Day. He knows both of them will be extremely busy tending to their customers, including those with special needs, that day. 'It'll be a regular day for us,' says Sivarajah. 'I'm blessed to have Appa with me every single day.' Darmalingam smiles and adds, 'That, in itself, is the best Father's Day gift I could ask for.'
Time Out
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Australia's first official Star Wars café just landed at Melbourne Museum
Calling all Jedis! If you or someone you know is a major Star Wars fan, then in the words of Yoda: very good news, we have. Australia's first official Star Wars café opened its doors at Melbourne Museum on June 7, a one-of-a-kind pop-up to delight children and adults alike. While it's a pity it couldn't have opened on May the 4th to coincide with the day the nerds among us say to each other "May the fourth be with you", we couldn't be more excited to board this culinary spaceship. Museums Victoria has worked together with both Disney and Lucasfilm to bring the immersive eatery – an idyllic lunch spot to grab a blue milk and a bite to eat before or after you've viewed the museum's Lego Star Wars exhibition – to life, with fans of all ages set to feel like they're dining in a galaxy far, far away. The Star Wars Galactic Café invites visitors to dine aboard the Corellian Star Cruiser and we're told there may be Stormtroopers about – so remember to bring your light saber! The menu features kooky options like the vegan Sorgan Burger (a chickpea and kale patty stacked with greens, avocado and pickles inside a potato bun), the Vietnamese-inspired Naboo Garden Vermicelli (a noodle dish featuring plump prawns, fresh herbs, nuoc cham, shallots and a sprinkling of toasted peanuts), and a zingy Outer Rim chicken katsu. Gluten-free options are available, and for a salty side, try the Asteroid Fields golden sweet potato wedges and sour cream. Whatever you do, don't skip dessert: a rich bitter chocolate parfait with sponge and crushed Oreos (Death Star by Chocolate) or a Chewie gingerbread cookie. And it wouldn't be a true Star Wars dining experience without blue milk, so you can also expect the iconic Tatooine beverage here. "Combining world-class hospitality with the timeless appeal of the Star Wars galaxy, the Star Wars Galactic Café offers Melbourne Museum's visitors yet another way to engage with this premier exhibition, in a cosmically cool atmosphere," said Museums Victoria CEO and director Lynley Crosswell. The Star Wars Galactic Café is open at Melbourne Museum from 10.30am to 3.30pm daily. More than 2000 people have already snapped up a table, so if you don't want to miss out – make a booking here.
The Star
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Modern twist takes traditional wayang kulit to global stage
CONCERNS over the declining popularity of wayang kulit, Malaysia's traditional shadow puppetry, have spurred three artists to innovate, ensuring the heritage art remains relevant, especially among the young. Founded in 2012 by Muhammad Dain Othman, Tintoy Chuo and Teh Take Huat, Fusion Wayang Kulit merges traditional Kelantanese wayang kulit with modern elements, introducing new narratives and iconic pop culture characters to captivate contemporary audiences. Muhammad Dain, a 13th-generation Tok Dalang (puppet master) of traditional Kelantanese wayang kulit, explained that shifting audience interests drove their innovation while steadfastly preserving the art form's original structure. 'Kelantanese wayang kulit is fading due to a lack of interest, especially among young people. If this continues, the art may eventually disappear. 'So, we thought, why not do something to keep the art form alive,' he told Bernama at Fusion Wayang Kulit gallery in GMBB in Jalan Robertson, Kuala Lumpur. Fusion Wayang Kulit combines traditional Kelantan wayang kulit elements with a modern touch by introducing new storytelling and iconic characters from popular culture to attract audiences. — Bernama Fusion Wayang Kulit's journey into modern characters began with the Star Wars franchise, featuring puppets of Darth Vader, Skywalker, Princess Leia and Stormtroopers. Their debut performance in 2013 was a resounding success, opening doors for international showcases in Australia, China, Germany and Japan. Muhammad Dain, 73, stressed that despite incorporating modern elements, they remained committed to the traditional Kelantanese wayang kulit format, maintaining its five key characteristics of music, language/ dialogue, performance, puppetry and characters. He explained that they modified the 'outside story' segment of the show, a portion separate from the core narrative, which allows the Tok Dalang to adapt content to current contexts without altering the main storyline. His team also conducts workshops to train the younger generation in wayang kulit. Initially, Fusion Wayang Kulit faced resistance from some traditionalists who feared their innovations compromised authenticity. However, clear explanations led to understanding and acceptance. 'I have received support from international experts who agree that incorporating new elements does not undermine the fundamental principles of Kelantanese wayang kulit,' said Muhammad Dain, who has been involved in the art since the 1980s. To date, Fusion Wayang Kulit has created shadow puppet designs inspired by DC superheroes (Justice League), Sony PlayStation video games (Horizon Forbidden West, God of War), Japanese mecha (Evangelion, Gundam) as well as Japanese tokusatsu (Ultraman, Kamen Rider). The group's foray into modern characters began with the 'Star Wars' franchise, featuring puppets of Darth Vader and Skywalker among others. They also developed the world's first transforming wayang kulit puppets, inspired by the Macross anime series. The Fusion Wayang Kulit team, comprising about 20 members, has performed in Austria, China, Germany, Japan, Singapore and Thailand. They were even invited to lecture at Pixar Animation Studios in California, US. 'Performing abroad is a step towards introducing Malaysia's cultural heritage to a wider audience,' said Muhammad Dain. 'We want wayang kulit to thrive, not just be a distant memory. Our hope is to inspire more people to revive and elevate this art form to a global level.'
