The seventh installment of the Star Wars series titled 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' is now playing in theatre and has opened to a smashing response at the box office. Directed by JJ Abrams, the Harrison Ford-starrer, is making waves in the western theatre. Within no time the movie has taken the audience to the surreal Galactic Empire.
The epic space fiction opera created by George Lucas has hit the fancy of its loyal fans ever since it was first launched in 1977. The movie has had significant impact on modern popular culture, and several references based on Star Wars, have been made in the political speeches and social events. Darth Vader, the fictional character has become an iconic villain while phrases like ‘evil empire’, ‘May The Force be with you’, ‘Do. Or Don’t do. There is no try’, ‘In my experience there is no such things as luck’ and many more have become part of our lexicon.
Without giving away the plot, we must reveal that the real hero of Star Wars this time is a woman, who doesn’t need the men to save her. The narrative smoothly moves as Daisy Ridley emerges as a crucial character who is no ‘damsel in distress’ and the male lead realize that they are the one who are in need of the character played by Ridley.
Political figures all across the globe have used these expressions to stress their point. 'Star Wars' references are deeply embedded in the culture, in the west and to a large extent in India too. American President to Indian premiere to the candidates running for US president election have effectively used Star Wars references, let’s check out how:
Barack Obama: Critics pointed that the White House had turned into promotional machine for Star Wars as the President wrapped up a presser and refused to take any more questions because he had to see the movie. “Ok everybody, I got to get Star Wars,” he said concluding the conference. Wifey Michelle Obama tweeted a video of ‘Star Wars’ character R2-D2’s arrival at the White House and the US Marine had to hold the door open for the character.
Narendra Modi: At Madison Square, Narendra Modi emerged as a rockstar who wooed the American diaspora. Modi received an overwhelming response from the American leaders and his Star War moment came when he appeared with X-Men star Hugh Jackman at the Global Citizen Concert in Central Park. “Thanks in particular to Hugh Jackman. God bless you. May the force be with you!”
Hilary Clinton: Hillary Clinton concluded the Democratic presidential debate evening with a nod to Star Wars. It was no secret that Star War fever had swept Clinton as she concluded her closing remarks with a shout out to the film “Thank you, good night and may the Force be with you,” she said.
Harry Cohen: During a defence debate in UK parliament on May 4, 1995, MP Harry Cohen related the Star Wars Day joke as ‘May the 4th be with you’. Star Wars also made its mark in the 2001 census when over 390,000 UK respondents entered their religion as Jedi.
Ted Cruz: American politician could not answer a question about Hillary Clinton’s performance in the Democratic debate because he did not watch it. “I actually went and watched the opening of Star Wars,” said Cruz. “Frankly, it was far more realistic than whatever was said at the Democratic debate.”
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