#padmay2018

[padawanlost]

Padmay 2018 | Day 06: Padmé Amidala + Red

[politicalpadme]

PadMay Day 3. How might you change Padmé’s story?

I wouldn’t change Padmé’s story but I would add her deleted scenes back in. Padmé has a political arc that is mostly invisible to the mainstream audience, and the scenes with her family build both her character and her relationship to Anakin.

Episode II: Attack of the Clones

The opening Senate scene:

emphasizes the threat against her and directly ties it to both the Trade Federation/Separatists and her position in the Senate

emphasizes her refusal to be cowed or back down, and her preference not to hide from danger

positions her as a strong voice in the Senate

makes it clear she is opposed to an Army of the Republic, which makes Jar Jar’s later intervention on her behalf that much more misguided

The extended conversation on the way to the palace:

reveals Padmé’s desire for children (let’s all cry forever)

look at those smiles

look at them!

Visiting the Naberrie home:

introduces her family (!)

emphasizes their concern for her life and her happiness

parallels the dinner scene in The Phantom Menace

builds up Padmé’s attraction to Anakin

reveals details about Padmé’s political training and history of compassion

ANAKIN INTERACTS WITH AN INTACT HAPPY HEALTHY FAMILY

The interrogation:

shows Padmé attempting a diplomatic solution

emphasizes that the Separatists are working within the law, at least for show

Episode III: Revenge of the Sith

The confrontation of Palpatine:

proves at least a faction of the Senate was not only working to remove Palpatine, they put their plan into action

again shows Padmé attempting a diplomatic solution

makes it clear Padmé is not on Palpatine’s side

pits Padmé against Anakin, making it visually clear that Palpatine has deliberately and specifically placed himself between them

and Padmé uses the interaction to try and make Anakin see that Palpatine is part of the problem

and Anakin is visibly conflicted

The scenes amongst the senators:

where do I even begin

include a crowd of interesting characters from different planets

who are as diverse in gender, race, species, culture, even body shape as the Empire is not

and they are the founders and leaders of the Rebellion

and their group meetings are shown to be just as messy as the Jedi Council meetings

they are equally secretive, paranoid, and all around Terrible At Communication(™)

and Padmé is just as frustrated as Anakin

because no one listens to her

and all that emphasizes how everything that matters to Padmé is crumbling under the stress of it all

and how isolated she is due to no one knowing the whole story

this arc is HUGELY important to Padmé’s story, to the Republic’s and the Rebellion’s story, and to the overarching story of Star Wars

So yes, that’s what I would change. I would make it so everyone knows ALL of Padmé’s story.

[wingletblackbird]

Padme as a Role Model

I do think that Padme provides an excellent role model for young girls, especially during a time when all leading ‘strong’ women seem to be expected to be as macho as the men. Padme is intelligent, ambitious, and talented. Moreover, it is in the arena of politics she most excels which is something most people disdain. Hence, not only does she show a woman can be strong-minded, capable intellectually, and principled, she shows what a politician should be. Something I would say is sorely needed. Finally, she does all of this in a resoundingly feminine fashion. She wears dresses; she is fashionable; she wants children; she had a girl-gang she hangs out with; she is emotional; she cries; she cares; she loves. Padme will stand-up for herself without hesitation, but uses violence as a last resort. She is exceedingly compassionate. Padme is allowed to be a very extraordinary person both personally and professionally without compromising who she is and what she wants to be. Women should be allowed to be the modern notion of “strong” if they so desire. However, we also need more role models like Padme: Women who conform to a more traditional model, but are not diminished, but rather enhanced by it. 

[godzillin-art]

(belated) Padmay day 20: Mythology Parallels 

From Hades to Persephone

[lady-needless-litany]

Padmay 2018 - Week Two (Colours)

I’ve got no eye for colours/graphic design, but thought I’d share anyway.

[thefakerachelray]

You asked, and here it is:

Is Padmé Wearing a Wig Today? Live action edition

(JK no one asked but here it is anyway. If you thought I would let Padmay end without doing it you were WRONG.)

This is pretty much just going to be Episodes II and III; Padme has pretty much the same look throughout TPM (and is almost definitely not wearing a wig), and I don’t even want to get into the Queen Amidala looks.

First up: one of the most iconic episode II looks. I don’t think this is a wig. Her hair could totally be inside the headband thing. I’m gonna say no, Padme isn’t wearing a wig today. Idk though she might be.

Hmm it’s a a little harder to tell here. I was better at this with animated Padme. Those buns are at least a feasible hairdo. I don’t think Padme is wearing a wig today.

I’m pretty sure I already decided the Clone Wars version of this was a wig, because that’s the only way I can see to keep her hair doing...whatever it’s doing. Yeah, I’m pretty sure Padme is wearing a wig today. So this is how liberty dies...with great wigs.

Cool little hairpiece thing, but other than that, her hair is mostly down here. Simple, neat, doable. Padme isn’t wearing a wig today, at least I don’t think she is.

Man, I don’t even know what to say except that is a complicated ‘do. Her hair kinda looks like a TIE fighter? Yep, Padme is definitely wearing a wig today.

Ah yes, the live action version of my fave Clone Wars look. Still super high hair. Padme is still wearing a wig today, no question.

Is it just me or does her hair look like a seashell here? But, like, a cute seashell. I just...don’t realistically know how seashell hair would work if it was was actual hair so I’m gonna say yes, Padme is wearing a wig today.

Finally, a rare hair-down Padme. Definitely not wearing a wig today but she doesn’t need to because that outfit is Extra enough on its own.

This has been: Is Padme Wearing a Wig Today? Live Action (Prequels) Edition

Thanks for playing!

[velvetsins]

Day 1 - What was your first impression of Padmé? 

In a word, I thought she was badass. I mean... I’ve always been in love with Star Wars. I’ve first watched it when I was a child and I loved Leia and how “badass” she was... Then I was presented to Queen Padmé and I fell in love with her. She didn’t disappoint a bit.

You see... I’ve always linked badassery to women who can speak their minds and fight for their beliefs and for the weak. I mean... We tend to worship women who can fight better than me, women who can defend themselves and defend the weak. But I’ve always known that the real fight are not fought with guns or swords (lightsabers or not) but with words and the ability to convince important people (the Senate) to help those in need.  

Padmé is a mixture of both. She can defend herself, she can fight, but her real arena, her area of expertise is within the Senate/The Palace, both places in which her quick mind and ability with words (to manipulate the discourse) are not only necessary, but deadly as well.

I feel her personality traits are often underappreciated, mainly because we tend to only view women as strong enough when they can fight better than a man, and not when they are skilled with words and are also kind (kindness is only viewed as strong trait when it comes to a man who can slay hundreds, see Luke, in Padmé it’s a weakness).  To sum up, as well said by Tywin Lannister in ASOIAF,  “some battles are won with swords and spears, others with quills and ravens”.

[masterlukeskywalker]

Padmay 2018 || Day Six: Red

I was not elected to watch my people suffer and die while you discuss this invasion in a committee!