A Thousand Stars: Episode II, Part 26
May. 18th, 2023 09:06 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
matrilAs Anakin embarks on a grim search for his mother, we are treated with a stunning array of evocative images. Consider first how, as Padmé comes outside to see Anakin off, we focus on their shadows rather than their true forms.
As well as evoking the famous teaser poster for Episode I, this shadow play tells a story in four parts. The lone figure. He is joined by another. She approaches him, they embrace and become one. But the real story isn't as simple as that. Seeing it in shadow form gives us a sense of distortion, of distance from reality. This is what they both yearn for, but other parts of their lives are holding them back from simple union. When we do see their actual forms, it's a long shot rather than up close -- again that sense of distance and removal -- and they quickly separate.
Then we watch with Padmé, standing still, as Anakin speeds away into an almost invisible speck.
Their closeness is shattered, a contrast of stasis and motion.
And then there's (in my opinion) the most powerful image in the film and probably the entire saga.
Once again it's a silhouette, a ghostly image without details. The backdrop of the sunset may remind us of Luke watching a similar scene -- though in this sequence Padmé is the one who provides a closer resemblance to his silent stillness rather than Anakin -- but Luke is restlessly wishing to go forward to the future, discontented with his present life. Anakin is trying to fight his way back to the past, to the childhood he lost, to the mother who is already dying.
And her words come back to us with awful clarity. You can't stop the change. Any more than you can stop the suns from setting.
Anakin can't accept that. He is fighting the setting suns, racing against them. Determined to change fate at any cost.
Next, conspiracies abound...
As well as evoking the famous teaser poster for Episode I, this shadow play tells a story in four parts. The lone figure. He is joined by another. She approaches him, they embrace and become one. But the real story isn't as simple as that. Seeing it in shadow form gives us a sense of distortion, of distance from reality. This is what they both yearn for, but other parts of their lives are holding them back from simple union. When we do see their actual forms, it's a long shot rather than up close -- again that sense of distance and removal -- and they quickly separate.
Then we watch with Padmé, standing still, as Anakin speeds away into an almost invisible speck.
Their closeness is shattered, a contrast of stasis and motion.
And then there's (in my opinion) the most powerful image in the film and probably the entire saga.
Once again it's a silhouette, a ghostly image without details. The backdrop of the sunset may remind us of Luke watching a similar scene -- though in this sequence Padmé is the one who provides a closer resemblance to his silent stillness rather than Anakin -- but Luke is restlessly wishing to go forward to the future, discontented with his present life. Anakin is trying to fight his way back to the past, to the childhood he lost, to the mother who is already dying.
And her words come back to us with awful clarity. You can't stop the change. Any more than you can stop the suns from setting.
Anakin can't accept that. He is fighting the setting suns, racing against them. Determined to change fate at any cost.
Next, conspiracies abound...
