George Lucas: Hypocrite of the Dark Side

I came across the following article last week. Now, this may seem odd coming from me of all people, but I'm not a fan of George Lucas. Sure, I'm a fan of the Star Wars saga - especially the original trilogy. Since the age of 6 in 1977, Lucas has made thousands (yes, thousands) of dollars from me alone. Toys, movie tie-ins, movie tickets, vhs, dvd, etc. . you name it. Over the past 30 years it boggles my mind to think of all the stuff with the Star Wars logo that found it's way into my hands. People like me have made it possible, through the miracle of capitalism, for Mr. Lucas to live in the ivory tower that he has grown accustomed to. That's fine with me. The way I see it, the films belong to the fans. He works for us. It's when I hear silly stuff like the following that I cringe. George, you've made some great Sci-Fi and sometimes I have to wonder if it is because you don't live in the real world.

[Note: I've added my two-cents worth within the article]



"Star Wars" film legend George Lucas wants more worldly Hollywood
Mar 23 3:35 AM US/Eastern

Legendary "Star Wars" film creator George Lucas told a packed house the United States is a provincial country with a culture that has invaded the world via Hollywood.
[As if no one outside the U.S. has ever heard of Star Wars.]

Lucas made the comments as he was honored with a "Global Vision Award" by the World Affairs Council in a downtown San Francisco hotel ballroom.
[San Francisco - Liberal Ground Zero]

"As long as there has been a talking Hollywood, Hollywood has had a huge impact on the rest of the world," Lucas said as he discussed his films and enhancing education with computer technology.

"It shows all the morality we espouse in this country, good and bad. The French were the first to start yelling cultural imperialism."
[Frenchy French Man Wannabe]

Some people in other countries are troubled by what they see as US culture "squashing" local art and cinema, Lucas said.
[Didn't seem to stop you, did it George? Star Wars ain't exactly a little indy, arthouse film!]

"I hate to say it, but television is one of the most popular exports," Lucas said.
People see shows such as "Dallas," about a wealthy Texas oil family, and decide they want the grand lifestyles portrayed, according to Lucas.
[That damn evil American TV. Oh, did you mention the Star Wars television series coming Spring 2008?]

"They say that is what I want to be," Lucas said. "That destabilizes a lot of the world."

"There has been a conflict going on for thousands of years between the haves and the have-nots, and now we are in a position for the first time to show the have-nots what they do not have." [ Like the ability to purchase The Presidio, own their own winery (Skywalker Wine), their own production company (Luscasfilm), their own special effects company (ILM), their own video game company (Lucas Arts), their own compound in Southern California and mansion in Italy, etc. . ]

Lucas endorsed US students studying abroad to help imbue them with more global perspectives.

"Study abroad is extremely important; just for kids to get outside this country and experience the fact there is a big world out there," Lucas said.

"We are a provincial country. Our president has barely been out of the country."
[It may seem strange to a UCLA film school grad, but the job of an ivy-league educated American President may not be as glamorous as someone who, I don't know. . say, makes fantasy films for a living. ]

An onus is on film makers to be careful with the messages they send because they speak "with a very loud voice," the famed movie director said.

California congresswoman Nancy Pelosi presented Lucas his council award, likening him to renowned classical music composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
[O-kay, the minute you throw down with someone like Pelosi is when any remaining trace of credibility you may have had left with me goes right out the window.]

The council crowned Lucas "the father of digital film" with profound insights into the globalization of culture.

"Like Mozart, George Lucas is no ordinary genius," Pelosi said. "He is a magician. He will be remembered as a legend."
["Like Mozart"? Really?]

Copyright AFP 2005