This piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the work being covered here wouldn’t exist.
It is hard to believe there was a time when Star Wars was not STAR WARS. Today it is a franchise that includes movies, televisions, video games, and a very vocal fan base. But when there is decades worth of material, not everything is going to be a success. Star Wars has had to endure its share of lumps, but arguably the most infamous is The Star Wars Holiday Special. A Disturbance in the Force is a documentary screening at the Fantasia Film Festival that examines the variety show.
There are so many documentaries about the George Lucas creation that each subsequent one has a harder time enticing fans. Directors Jeremy Coon and Steve Kozak make sure to present new information. Star Wars enthusiasts are a knowledgeable group, but even the most hardcore will be impressed with the amount of information in A Disturbance in the Force. The film does not just constantly dump information. It is nicely mixed in, painting a complete picture of the production and mythos of the Christmas special.
The interviews in A Disturbance in the Force showcase the fandom of Star Wars without being ironic or poking fun. Fans like Kevin Smith, “Weird Al” Yankovic, and Seth Green discuss how the holiday special may not the best part of the Star Wars universe, but still has its place. It is interesting to hear people honestly defend it.
There is so much Star Wars content that it is hard to get interested about the latest addition. This includes documentaries, even when they cover something that was once as difficult to find as The Star Wars Holiday Special. A Disturbance in the Force succeeds thanks to a genuine love of the source material.
The Fantasia International Film Festival takes place from July 20 – August 9. Fantasia, news, tickets, and films can be found HERE
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