The Force Is Strong With BFI Star Wars Event

By Stuart Black Last edited 113 months ago
The Force Is Strong With BFI Star Wars Event

Photo by Williams! from the Londonist Flickr pool.

Not everyone likes Star Wars fans. Ewan "Obi Wan Kenobi" McGregor recently described overzealous autograph hunters as "parasitical lowlifes". Fortunately, the BFI feels differently, having just announced a program to induce multiple nerdgasms across the geekosphere with its Star Wars Day on 13 December.

Not only does the BFI plan to show the three early (and watchable) films in the series, Episodes IV-VI, back-to-back on the big screen, it will also be turning the BFI's riverfront cafe into a replica of the legendary Mos Eisley Cantina. Visitors are being encouraged to dress up as their favourite characters, with prizes for well-groomed Wookies and best Princess Leia style ear-buns (we hope). There will also be special guests — unconfirmed as yet — though since most of the original cast is in London right now filming JJ Abrams's new "trequels" (as we've decided to call them) hopefully someone suitably starry will show up (though don't hold your breath for Ewan McGregor).

On top of all that, there will also be a behind-the-scenes exhibition in the NFT Atrium made up of photos, posters and memorabilia. The most prized item however is — whisper it — an actual shooting script for Episode IV! — displayed no doubt like the Domesday Book under a shaft of raw sunlight. Good luck getting past the drooling fan-boys and girls to get a glimpse.

Star Wars Day is part of the BFI's season of science fiction films Sci-Fi: Days Of Fear And Wonder.

Tickets for all three screenings cost £35 (with concessions at £30). They will be available to buy from 11 November (or 4 November for BFI members).

Last Updated 29 October 2014