Thanks to all of you for your incredibly kind support about my NPR interview today on the "Talk of the Nation" program about the Star Wars phenomenon and the nature of fandom. I'm not particularly good about thinking on my feet -- dammit, Jim, I'm a writer, not an orator! -- but, for what it's worth, it's now available online as streaming audio HERE. The interview came right after my first viewing of Revenge of the Sith... wow.
Warning! My quote for the day includes mild spoilers:
When Obi-Wan moved to follow, Yoda's gimer stick barred his way. "A moment, Master Kenobi. In your solitude on Tatooine, training I have for you. I and my new Master."
Obi-Wan blinked. "Your new Master?"
"Yes." Yoda smiled up at him. "And your old one..."
from the novel Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith by Matthew Stowe
Warning! My quote for the day includes mild spoilers:
When Obi-Wan moved to follow, Yoda's gimer stick barred his way. "A moment, Master Kenobi. In your solitude on Tatooine, training I have for you. I and my new Master."
Obi-Wan blinked. "Your new Master?"
"Yes." Yoda smiled up at him. "And your old one..."
from the novel Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith by Matthew Stowe
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eldritchhobbit- Amy H. Sturgis
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1) You have a great voice for radio.
2) You came across very well, scholarly yet not "above it all"
3) It was far too short, and he talked over the end of your last comment.
So, what did you think of the movie?
2) Again - thanks!
3) It's tough to get any content in at all with such brevity, but once we began, I knew my main goal was to challenge the "cult" interpretation of fandom, so I hope that came through.
The movie? Wow. I'm still digesting. I feel like I was given the closure I wanted, and I was simply overwhelmed (visually and emotionally) by the destruction of the Jedi and the battle between Anakin and Obi-Wan. E.M. was brilliant as Obi-Wan. And I feel I understand things far better now. My absolute favorite part was Yoda's promise of communing with Qui-Gon during the years of exile on Tatooine. There were problems with the film, big ones, but overall I was more than satisfied. And I most definitely intend to see it again. You?
I think I'm in the same position. There are problems with the film, the acting between Hayden and Portman was still stiff, but they were excellent with other people. I'm not sure whether to blame their personal chemestry, or the fact that Lucas can't write love dialoge to save his life.
R2-D2 kicks ass.
Hayden with Ian...every sceene crackled. Hayden did a great job with the turn to the Dark Side, and I felt for him. The confrontation between him and Obi before their final duel was heart-breaking. The cross-cuts between Obi/Anakin's and Yoda/Emperor's battles was breathtaking.
The execution of Order 66 was heart-wrenching (on a personal note, I'm glad we didn't see Shaak Ti or Luminara, my two favoite background Jedi, die on screen. I can fantasize that they survived somehow.)
There are some things I would like to have seen that we didn't (like Qui-Gon appearing to Yoda) but I think we got just about everything we wanted. I'm going to see it again Monday, to let the crowds thin down a bit, and at least one other time with my friends.
There may be more Star Wars tales in the future, but them main story, the most important story, is complete. I think you described it best with one word. Closure.
*tries unsuccessfully not to squee*
good job, A! is lovely to hear your voice - accent, cosiness, and all. I feel like a stalker. lol.
AND you managed not to mention John Castle! (:o
is lovely to hear your voice - accent, cosiness, and all. I feel like a stalker. lol.
LOL! That's so funny! It's rather weird to put a voice with a name before a three-dimensional face! Ah, well. I hope my accent didn't grate on your nerves. I'm told I've picked up some "Tennessean" since I've been here, whatever that means, but it's hard to tell listening to yourself, you know? If the whole world sounded like Aussies, it would be a much more aesthetically pleasing place!
I'm waiting for an invitation back for the "All John Castle" episode of the program. :) It's only a matter of time, right?
...Lovely to hear your voice - accent, cosiness, and all. I feel like a stalker. lol.
AND you managed not to mention John Castle! (:o
LOL! I must say, your voice is so unexpectedly "sweet". :::snicker:::
I was able to see the movie on Saturday night - I was a bit distracted as we swooshed off two car loads of family to the theater after the BIG PARTY and we were all a bit tired. I was not expecting to be brought so completely back around to our first moments with SW at the end and it actually brought me to tears. A "Richard and the Penny" moment - flew back in time to some of the few good moments of my youth.
I thought of you during *all* the light sabre fights. ;-)
I like what you said in the interview about the loss of oral storytelling and the need for community/culture in the fan realm.
You sounded great! I guess you had to earn that title, didn't you...?
LOL! I must say, your voice is so unexpectedly "sweet". :::snicker:::
*grimaces* then *blows raspberry* :)
I like what you said in the interview about the loss of oral storytelling and the need for community/culture in the fan realm.
Thank you SO much! That was the main idea I was really hoping would come across. I really appreciate it.
was not expecting to be brought so completely back around to our first moments with SW at the end and it actually brought me to tears.
I know exactly what you mean! Me, too.
Your kind words really have made my day! Thanks for listening...
Suspects dedicated Qui/Obi shippers will be having a celebratory party at this news :) I'm inclined to join them!
I know exactly what you mean! I'm so pleased that he's brought into the story again at this stage and shown to have made such a connection with the Force that he can retain his individuality. Now we know who taught Yoda and Obi-Wan to become the blue ghosties! And the idea that Obi-Wan is not all alone in his desert exile is such a comfort.
I'm doing the happy dance, too. I'm so sorry about the audio file, but many thanks for being interested! I really appreciate it.
2. I really thought you did as good of a job as any could have in the position you were put. while it wasn't as long or in-depth as i'm sure the discussion could be (and i'd love to have or be part of that conversation sometime - i lost track of the number of times i had to defend the HP fandom in my grad level cultural deviance class at ND), i think you did an excellent job given the limited time span and questionings.
3. i loved the tailgating references, as well as the connection to nostalgia and connection to like-minded people and philosophies. i think that's a discussion that doesn't get touched on enough, in my mind. while it may seem completely normal for grown men to become fixated on a sports team and follow them almost religiously, it still seems (at least in my experience) taboo or silly or even immature to become as connected with the HP world and others within it. i think you explained it perfectly, and i almost wish that could reach a wider audience. it's such an important point, and one that gets lost in the negative views of the special effects and costuming and the social mores about the pageantry of science-fiction fandom.
>While it may seem completely normal for grown men to become fixated on a sports team and follow them almost religiously, it still seems (at least in my experience) taboo or silly or even immature to become as connected with the HP world and others within it.
I couldn't agree more! It seems very arbitrary, what kinds of fannish activities are sanctioned by our culture today and which seem to be taboo. Entire sitcom episodes are built around the humorous toleration of and even loving tribute to those who go to great lengths to follow a team or even a musician, but the same shows portray someone who attends a science fiction convention for only five-minute glimpses, as the butt of rather insensitive jokes. Its fascinating to contrast the different receptions of those who are a part of, say, the Harley Davidson subculture, Elvis fandom, and Jane Austen enthusiast groups -- especially when it seems to me that all of these things spring from a rather similar foundation. At any rate, I'm so grateful to know you recognize similar issues bound up in all of this. I'd love to talk with you more about them!
And thanks again for your kind post! :)
grr.
and you're very welcome for the kind post and the linkage in my LJ. like i said earlier - i love discussing these topics and i think more intellectual conversations about a fandom near and dear to us all needs to take place. one post at a time ;)
I don't know whether you've seen it---"a new Master" Parody
http://echigoya.oops.jp/qui_gon.mov
And great point about the hopes that the film leaves for us. I'm especially grateful to know that Obi-Wan wasn't completely alone during all those years of exile. Sad, yet inspirational.