A Thousand Stars: Episode III, Part 14

[matril]

Anakin and Palaptine have quite a few conversations in this film, and Lucas was aware that if they all took place in the Chancellor's office, it could become visually tedious. So he created the operahouse setting for this next scene. It's a perfect addition to the opulent world of the Republic, the high-brow sort of place for the wealthy and influential to congregate. And this futuristic version of an opera is like nothing we've seen or heard before.



The eerie visuals and strange deep chords serve as a background to Palpatine's seductive words, each carefully chosen to twist Anakin's sense of morality and lure him with promises of his heart's desire.



While the main players remain stationary in a physical sense, the shifting colors and patterns can symbolize the turmoil that Palpatine is stirring up in Anakin's mind.


One of many shots that shows the Chancellor in smug satisfaction while Anakin inwardly reels from the dangerous curiosity that Palaptine has roused.

Next time, a not-quite-final farewell....

Comments

[krpalmer]

While I'd thought of this performance as more of a "ballet," that's a minor point. I have seen interpretations of the performers trailing streamers from sphere to sphere as a metaphor for fertilization, but that seems to get tied up with "aha, so it's the Sith who are responsible for Anakin's origin!" That leaves me stuck pondering those apparently fixed against the cosmic significance applied to Anakin (after their interpretations had fixed?) Later on, anyway, I simply noticed Rick Worley mentioning how many "circles" show up in the Star Wars movies.