10 STARHETRO I FEAT U R E
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Star Wars fans The force of their passion brings them tc
By CHRISTINA LOW [email protected]
LOCAL FANS of sci-fi classic Star Wars did not need a public
holi-day to celebrate their special day. They were lucky that Star
Wars Day or
May 4 just happened to fall on a Sunday this year, giving them
the opportunity to hold a gathering at the Raja Tun Uda Library in
Shah Alam.
"May the fourth, which sounds like the movie's famous tagline
'May the force be with you' is recognised and celebrated worldwide
as Star Wars Day," said organ-iser 501 st Legion Malaysia Outpost
com-manding officer Julian Kong.
"It is always wonderful when fans get together to celebrate the
occasion and everything that makes Star Wars special."
Kong said the 501 st Legion was also known for their devotion to
building and wearing accurate replicas of the Star Wars ·
costumes.
Fans who wanted to snap photos with
storm library gether on special day those who came dressed up as
popular Star Wars characters had to pay a minimal dona-tion.
"We make appearances at corporate functions and events but we do
not accept payment.
"Instead, we encourage donations to be made to charitable
organisations," said Kong, adding that the contributions from Star
Wars Day would go to the Montfort Boys Town.
Meanwhile, Star Wars Malaysia Fan Club president Sean Lee said
the special day was usually celebrated with fans of all ages.
"It is a landmark date for us to share our love for Star Wars,"
he said, adding that it was an opportunity for fans to get to know
one another and show off their Star Wars figurines and
memorabilia.
Activities held on the day included the Star Wars Academy
workshop, Droid Hunt, question-and-answer session with Darth Vader
and the screening of Heart of An Empire, a documentary about the
world-wide 501 st Legion fan group.
Visitors of the library also took the oppor-tunity to purchase
Star Wars merchandise at a mini flea market set up by fans.
•
STARMETRO WEDNESDAY
14 MAY 2014 11
o Fans dressed up as Star Wars characters taking a group photo
as a memento of the event.
G Children learning how to use the lightsaber at the Star Wars
Academy Workshop .
• Fans dressed as a Storm trooper, Sith Lord Darth Revan and an
Imperial Officer at the Star Wars Day.
o Young f'ims getting to know Darth Vader better during the
Q&A session.
e The Millennium Falcon, known to Star Wars fans as 'the fastest
hunk of junk in the galaxy' on display at the event.
e Five-year-old Ali Ahmad Ali Fauz admiring a recreated
lightsabre fight scene between Obi-wan Kenobi [left) and Anakin
Skywalker from Episode 3 - Revenge of the Sith. .
o Wayang kulit- inspired puppets of Darth Vader and a
Stromtrooper. They are the works of creative designer Tintoy Chuo
and wayang kulit master Muhammad Dain Othman.
- Photos by MUHAMAD SHAHRIL ROSLI
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