Plot: Darth Vader, Jedi Knight and Sith Lord, is the central character of the famous Star Wars cinematic saga, developed by George Lucas since 1977. His frightening appearance, intimidating charisma and terrible fate have made him one of the greatest icons of popular culture and the embodiment of absolute evil. But the interest of the figure lies perhaps more in its ambivalences. From the young and impetuous Anakin Skywalker, devoured by a romantic anger, to the terrifying cyborg in search of redemption, Darth Vader is one of our great modern myths which tells as much our phobias as our contemporary fantasies.
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Darth Vader – book
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For critics of Star Wars, the universe of George Lucas would appear first of all as a formidable profit factory having sacrificed on the altar of merchandising its artistic morality. For Björn-Olav Dozo and Dick Tomasovic, teachers at the University of Liège, it is on the contrary behind the archetype that the richness of the franchise lies. In keeping with the formidable “The Factory of Heroes” collection, the figure of Darth Vader is seen less as a character than as an entity with a complex and mutant identity, unfolding through different shapes and formats. At first glance, this idea may seem surprising as the representation of Vader is easily identifiable: a black cape and helmet, a hoarse breath, a heavy step, a threatening stature. The schematism which the character claims is, however, deceptive. The authors first note how its aesthetics may have exerted an influence on the entire visual universe of the saga. Because in many ways, Darth Vader embodies Star Wars, its forms and its spirit. Actant, the space knight is not at ease with speech and struggles to express the emotions and uncertainties that overwhelmed his fate. Dozo and Tomasovic therefore take care of it for him. Referring to all feature films (spin-off included) but also to series and comics totally or partially devoted to the character, the authors analyze the essential ambiguity attached to this shadow hero.
From his ambivalent nature, oscillating between the human and the machine, to his no less disturbing sexuality summoned by his mutilated body all dressed in leather (and which the various parodic and erotic variations quickly diverted from the franchise), from his dysfunctional relationship to the family with its insatiable thirst for power, the book explains the origins and evolution of the character from numerous references borrowing sometimes from political science and sometimes from philosophy.
Often brilliant, reflection never takes the risk of overinterpreting. The iconographic and dramaturgical study of the character develops from an in-depth knowledge of films and their stories, the meaning of which she extends through various reviews of particular elements (such as this beautiful passage devoted to the motif of the helmet). By the seriousness of their company, Dozo and Tomasovic thus manage to support the originality of their approach. The immense bibliography that Lucas’s frankness carries behind it can therefore be proud of welcoming this new, rich and particularly stimulating work into its midst.
- DARK VADOR. FIRE AND BLOOD
- Auteurs : Björn-Olav Dozo et Dick Tomasovic
- Editions: New Impressions
- Collection: The Factory of Heroes
- Release date: October 1, 2021
- Languages: French only
- Format : 144 pages
- Prices: 12 €
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