Page 41 - Star Wars Insider #194

THE MEANING OF MASKS

In a saga steeped in mystery, deceit, and intrigue, it’s no wonder that
masks—both actual and metaphorical—have come to play such a
prominent role in the Star Wars mythos. From the avuncular image
projected by Chancellor Palpatine to the implacable visage of Kylo
Ren, Star Wars Insider peels away the masks of the galaxy to reveal the
truth beneath some of those facades…

W O R D S : J A M E S C L A R K E

n the first of several crises Amidala’s face paint is a fine example of the

I that Queen Padmé Amidala detail of the filmmaker’s world-building and
is confronted with in Star
evokes the Kumadori face-paint tradition of
Wars: The Phantom Menace
Japanese Kabuki theater. Donald Richie, who
(1999), she presents herself wrote extensively about Akira Kurosawa—the
in stunning ceremonial infl uential filmmaker that Lucas himself cites as

regalia. Appearing via a viewscreen aboard an inspiration—once explained of Japanese art
the Neimoidian Trade Federation ship that it looks for, “Qualities existing under…
looming above her homeworld, we see the outward surface.” Similarly, in the Noh theater
resolute queen wearing striking face paint; tradition, masks accentuate rather than disguise
it’s imposing, elegant, and stark, evoking the inner life of a character. When looking at the
something tangibly ancient and earthly that role of masks in Star Wars, these defi nitions echo
reminds us how, in creating Star Wars, George what we often discover in the galaxy far, far away.
Lucas and his collaborators tapped into the Masks conceal and then reveal secrets, truths,
ways that reality creates fantasy. terrors and wonders.

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