Straits Times "Reenacting History for a good cause"
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Darsha Assant
- Posts: 421
- Joined: Mon May 30, 2005 10:23 am
Straits Times "Reenacting History for a good cause"
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Last edited by Darsha Assant on Mon Apr 07, 2008 10:45 pm, edited 1 time in total.
While it's good exposure, I felt Star Wars was somewhat a little out of context with an article title that reads "Re-enacting history for a good cause".
Also thought the article should be printed in either the Straits Times LIFE or SUNDAY LIFESTYLE section rather than the main Straits Times. Makes it all the more odd that the article was written by a 'Defence Correspondent'.
Also thought the article should be printed in either the Straits Times LIFE or SUNDAY LIFESTYLE section rather than the main Straits Times. Makes it all the more odd that the article was written by a 'Defence Correspondent'.
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redandblue
- Posts: 342
- Joined: Sat Jun 17, 2006 9:58 am
- Location: singapore
You took the words right out of my mouth. Same thoughts here.renzaijh wrote:While it's good exposure, I felt Star Wars was somewhat a little out of context with an article title that reads "Re-enacting history for a good cause".
Also thought the article should be printed in either the Straits Times LIFE or SUNDAY LIFESTYLE section rather than the main Straits Times. Makes it all the more odd that the article was written by a 'Defence Correspondent'.
"Tornados...", "Re-enacting history..." [skip] I actually didn't realise the article featured the 501st until you guys mentioned it here.
And the photo was kinda odd though...
On the brighter side, this goes to show that our forum is a good place to keep abreast of the local Star Wars scene
Here's the article as I typed out from the original (Sorry! Me still have no scanner yet):
As for the photo, ya, they could had used a much better one instead of the Behind-The-Scene one seen in the article.
Re-enacting history for a good cause
BY DAVID BOEY ( dboey@sph.com.sg )
Defence Correspondent
UNIVERSITY student Alvin Lee is 26 and too young to know first-hand what the Japanese Occupation was like.
But that has not stopped him from being obsessed by the details of the years that followed the conquest of Singapore by Japan 65 years ago.
He is part of a "living history group" comprising about a dozen enthusiasts who meet monthly to discuss life under the Japanese, and how the Japanese soldiers fought.
It is a pastime that would be unremarkable if not for the fact that members turn up in full uniform worn by Japan's World War II warriors.
The group has been receiving invitations to tell World War II stories to students, and that has added a new dimension to their hobby.
They are part of a worldwide phenomenon of "re-enactors", people who are so enthralled by a period of history or a movie that they go to all extents to re-create and relive the experience.
Thirty years after the Hollywood blockbuster Star Wars hit the big screen, scores of moviegoers are keeping the magic alive through re-enactments.
They buy costumes and props to create a fantasy world in which they speak, act and dress up as Star Wars characters.
Mr Paul Khoo, 40, an advertising consultant and self-confessed Star Wars fanatic, said:
"For the time you're in costume, it's like you're someone else for those few hours. It's a form of escapism but that's what actors do."
He leads a 27-member group called the 501st Legion Singapore Outpost. It is the local arm of the United States-based 501st Legion, which spearheads a world-wide fraternity comprising thousands of Star Wars re-enactors.
Star Wars was screened in six instalments over the past 30 years. This explains why the bulk of re-enactors tend to be in their 30s or 40s - many of whom have been hooked since their teenage years.
Now grown up, working and linked by the Internet to other "outposts" worldwide, 501st Legion members think nothing of forking out $1,000 or more for an authentic outfit.
It is not mere fancy dress, Mr Khoo declared. His re-enactors are crowd magnets when they show up in public in their full regalia.
They have added their presence to charity events, where people make a donation to pose for a photo with them.
Interior designer Benny Cheng, 35, who helped raise funds for the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in April, said:
"I've never had so many people come up to me to have their picture taken."
A hit character is the Stormtrooper - the foot soldier of the movie's evil Empire - dressed up in figure-hugging armour, muscled breast plates, and a full-face helmet.
The group hauls their collection out of storage at least once a month to support donation drives for groups like the SPCA, Salvation Army and the Yellow Ribbon Project which helps released prisoners.
Mr Keith Edward Moss, 34, who runs a consultancy firm, said:
"I've always wanted to give back to the community and being part of the 501st puts us in a position to do just that by pledging our time and effort into communicity, social and charitable causes."
"Nothing beats the warn feeling you get when you bring joy to someone, a child or adult."
He has spent "over US$10,000 (S$15,000)" on more than 10 Stormtrooper helmets, some eight Star Wars characters and other paraphernalia such as mock laser guns.
Anyone can join the group and that's no membership fee. Fans find their way to the group's website (www.501st.com.sg).
Mr Belvick Lee, 33, said the group has widened his social circle and he has gotten to know teachers, engineers, laboratory technicians and civil servants. There's even a policeman in the group.
Because the 501st Legion is a worldwide phenomenon, the Singapore group has been represented at overseas "troopings" such as the Taipei Toy Festival last July.
Two members also attended a seven-day, all-expenses-paid trip to be in Los Angeles New Year's Day parade this year.
Lucasfilm, the company that created the movie, invited some 720 fans from around the world to march in a grand parade to mark Star Wars 30th anniversary.
Singapore representatives Shawn Chak, 32, and civil servant Aw Tong Wee, 30, were in full Stormtrooper armour for about seven hours and marched about 11km.
"It was cold and fast-paced," recalled Mr Chak. "Everytime a phone rang among the crowd, it would inevitably be a tune from the movie."
As for National University of Singapore arts major Alvin Lee, his group of Japanese Occupation buffs readily share their knowledge at talks organised by various schools.
The invitations to speak started coming in after some teachers saw his first exhibition back in 2004 for the Reflection at Bukit Chandu show.
Mr Lee has prepared two 30-minute long powerpoint presentations, with a simplified, picture-heavy version for primary school pupils.
"Anyone can collect stuff but collecting the right stuff and putting it to good use like for public talks goes beyond mere collecting," he said.
But what may raise eyebrows is the group's collection of Japanese military kit, and uniforms used by Adolf Hitler's army during World Wide II.
To be sure, Mr Lee said he is well aware of the controversial nature of these subjects and has drawn barbs from netizenns who have visited his website ( http://www.geocities.com/alvinlee_81/index.html ).
"We've got stereotype insults mainly from the US, that we're Nazis and swastika-bearing buffoons. We learn to accept such criticisms though we feel it's more of a nuisance," he said.
Mr Lee pointed out that critics seldom appreciate that re-enactors help to make history lessons come alive for students.
"We don't overlook the fact that atrocities have been committed by the Japanese soldiers, but do not glorify it," he said.
As for the photo, ya, they could had used a much better one instead of the Behind-The-Scene one seen in the article.
Folks, let's continue the discussion on the ZaoBao article at this thread instead...chakster wrote:Anybody understand the Lianhe Zaobao article that came out yesterday? It was a pretty big feature.It looked very nice from the pics and stuff but I was too kantang to understand anything...
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