Madison, WI
April 12, 2007
Story and Photos by Chris Spice (Darth Spice)
"HEART OF AN
EMPIRE" PREMIERE For several months we’ve taken the time to view a few of the latest
Star Wars fan films. The creativity of Star Wars fans knows no
boundary and the film
Heart of the Empire most definitely captures
that magic. There are many Star Wars fans that have heard, but do
not know the incredible lengths the men and women of the
501st
Legion put into the hobby of costuming. We get a good look at the
founder of the Legion, Albin Johnson. To hear first hand some of the
trials he went through to put the group on the map was more than
interesting. From trials with the big dogs at
Lucasfilm Ltd. to the
great pains he endured in his life personally over the last ten plus
years was nothing short of heart wrenching.
There are many lessons to be learned
from this film. One man most definitely make a difference, and it’s
a lot more than dressing up like a bunch of Star Wars bad guys. The
film did a great job of capturing the charity work the 501st takes
part in at local children’s hospitals. This is where the film was
heavily focused and I think fans will feel somewhat sad, as it is
not all about conventions, parades and slapping high-fives. The
desire to bring joy and help someone who is in a perilous situation,
to escape that reality for a few hours is more rewarding than
anything you might ever do in your life. One of the more interesting
quotes in the film was “You haven’t seen life until you’ve seen it
from inside of a helmet.” Based on my own personal experience with
the Legion over the past two years, nothing could be further from
the truth. This film is somewhat vague on timeline and I do think it
provides a more in-depth look at the beginnings of the Legion.
We arrived at the Wisconsin Film
Festival in Madison late afternoon yesterday and the
Midwest
Garrison was treated to a private screening of the film. Afterwards
the group suited up in armor to show the crowd of literally hundreds
what they were about to see. We took time to have Lord Vader lead us
throughout the campus grounds and assisted in driving more bodies
towards the 9:30 p.m. screening. There were quite a few members of
the ground forces on hand and overall it was a great time. I had a
chance to speak briefly to Jay Thompson about the film, who informed
me he was just another fan, only this one happened to sell off his
entire collection to finance the film. I know being the father of a
child with special needs, I have to say it was difficult for me to
watch the hardship of two small kids named Katie and Christian go
through and give the ultimate sacrifice. The film does a wonderful
job of showing how the group evolved from a simple website to a
worldwide organization that carries the nickname “Vader’s Fist.” For
this reason alone it is worth the viewing, although I will say
remember to pack a few Puffs in your field pack!
PHOTO GALLERY To see the photo gallery
containing 37 photos click
here.
For several months we’ve taken the time to view a few of the latest
Star Wars fan films. The creativity of Star Wars fans knows no
boundary and the film
There are many lessons to be learned
from this film. One man most definitely make a difference, and it’s
a lot more than dressing up like a bunch of Star Wars bad guys. The
film did a great job of capturing the charity work the 501st takes
part in at local children’s hospitals. This is where the film was
heavily focused and I think fans will feel somewhat sad, as it is
not all about conventions, parades and slapping high-fives. The
desire to bring joy and help someone who is in a perilous situation,
to escape that reality for a few hours is more rewarding than
anything you might ever do in your life. One of the more interesting
quotes in the film was “You haven’t seen life until you’ve seen it
from inside of a helmet.” Based on my own personal experience with
the Legion over the past two years, nothing could be further from
the truth. This film is somewhat vague on timeline and I do think it
provides a more in-depth look at the beginnings of the Legion.
We arrived at the Wisconsin Film
Festival in Madison late afternoon yesterday and the
