#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

[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!

[melodrama-lorde]

Edit // Star Wars

Padme Amidala

[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”.

[robealafrancaise]

Padmay 2018 || Day Six: Red

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

[prequelappreciation]

PadMay Day 1

PadMay Day 1

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST IMPRESSION OF PADME?

I can’t remember my very first impression on Padme, sadly. I do know that Attack of the Clones was my favorite of the then six films when I was a little girl though. I mostly loved Padme for her clothing. I was obsessed with her Villa Retreat dress. 

Looking back, I loved having a female role model who was powerful and independent but also feminine and allows herself to enjoy stereotypical ‘girly’ things and even falls in love. There are very few female characters in today’s society that are able to blend that line so perfectly. Most women in today’s media are presented as far too masculine sometimes, which is probably one of the reasons I have so much trouble relating to female characters these days. This woman can kick some serious ass but she also cares about how she looks. In fact, it was because of her costumes that I wanted to be a costume designer when I got older (that fell through the cracks but, ya know...) 

I remember admiring the fact that she was so poised and put together. She was able to stand her ground and look out for herself but is not afraid of showing weakness and vulnerability, of expressing her desires to fall in love and start a family...etc. Honestly, the media needs more female characters like her and she deserves better within the Star Wars franchise. 

[naberiie]

Padmay 2018 | Day 01: What was your first impression of Padmé?

Picture this: a family about to go on a road trip that would take over eight hours - one way. We were allowed to pick one movie each to bring, so as my dad roped the tiny television into the back of the car my siblings and I scurried to our movies and set about the long, arduous process of trying to bring something everyone would at least somewhat like. I picked Cinderella. My brother, just to spite me, picked Star Wars: The Phantom Menace.

All I knew about Star Wars at that point was weird special effects, long dull gray spaceship scenes, and Darth Vader. I couldn’t be bothered with it, but my brother still chose that movie because ... he’s a younger brother. That’s his job.

We pile in the car and set off. And all too soon, Cinderella ends, and my brother is handing my mom the tape with an evil grin on his face that no amount of frustrated kicks could displace. We hear the familiar triumphant first note of the opening crawl, and I settle in, preparing myself to be bored to tears, thinking of ways to get my brother back.

Eventually, though: “It’s Queen Amidala herself!” 

And then the coolest girl I had ever seen appeared on screen, in huge, intricate, beautiful regal robes, staring down her enemies like she was ready to come through that screen and take care of them herself.

Truthfully, I fell in love with Padmé because of her clothes. I fell in love with the designs, the colors, the details and grand construction of the Queen’s wardrobe.

(I never did get my brother back for purposefully choosing a movie he thought I’d hate.)

I know that compared to other peoples’ first impressions, this is definitely odd. But the costumes drew me in to the Star Wars universe. They’re the entire reason I’m here, writing fic, OCs, AUs, meta; making friends in the fandom; still crying and thinking about it years later. 

She was the coolest, most badass, best dressed person I had ever seen. And that was the moment I fell in love with Star Wars; I fell in love with the worldbuilding, the clothes, the stories they told. I spent hours on Wookieepedia, researching her costumes, daydreaming of being an extra in Attack of the Clones or Revenge of the Sith. That love of textile/fashion design continues - My parents got me Dressing a Galaxy for my most recent birthday; I have dozens of books on textile history and fashion throughout history from all over the world. My first tattoo is the symbol of the Royal House of Naboo - on my left hipbone. I’m considering a career in textile archives; preserving fashion and costumes, because of Padmé Amidala.

Queen Amidala’s wardrobe - and the woman who wore them - influenced and continues to influence me beyond anyone’s imaginings. Especially, I think, my brother’s. She was beautiful, she was a Queen from space with the attitude and wardrobe to match; and I fell in love.

[padawanlost]

Padmay 2018 | Day 23: Padmé Amidala + Roles

[politicalpadme]

PadMay is an annual event in celebration of our beloved former queen and senator of Naboo, Padmé Naberrie Amidala. There are thirty one prompts, one for each day in the month of May. 

You may answer as many, or as few, as you like and there is no specific format. Questions and prompts may be considered in universe or meta and answers may take the form of discussion, fiction, artwork, gifsets, vids, vlogs, whatever!

Week ONE: Questions

1. What was your first impression of Padmé? 2. How should Padmé be remembered? 3. How might you change Padmé’s story? 4. What is Padmé’s relationship to the Force? 5. What would Padmé’s ‘revenge’ look like?

Week TWO: Colors

6. Red 7. Orange 8. Yellow 9. Green 10. Blue 11. Indigo 12. Violet

Week THREE: Relationships

13. The Naberrie Family 14. Legislative Youth Program 15. Handmaidens of Naboo 16. The Gunguns 17. Sheev Palpatine 18. The Jedi 19. The Skywalker Family

Week FOUR: Prompts

20. Mythology Parallels 21. Tropes 22. Crossover with Another Fandom 23. Roles 24. Padmé’s Theme Song 25. Memes 26. Padmé as a Role Model

Week FIVE: Finale 

27. Celebration 28. Happy Ending 29. Afterlife 30. Legacy 31. Free Form (anything goes!)

Please tag your posts #PadMay2018 and feel free to message me links. I cannot wait to see all your discussion, fiction, art, and creativity! If you have any questions, my ask box is open. 

[wingletblackbird]

A Greater Tragedy: Padme Died at Her Peak Potential

I just wanted to add to this post about Padme as a good role model and politician, that Padme put herself in the firing line by creating the Petition of Two Thousand. She did so to protect Bail Organa and Mon Mothma. She is one of the three primary individuals responsible for the formation of the Rebellion. She did a lot. What’s more is, it would have taken much longer for the Rebellion to get going if Padme hadn’t also stopped Bail from losing his head when Palpatine declared himself Emperor. She protected him and Mon with her delegation, and also stopped Bail Organa from doing something foolish that would have compromised them--the future Rebel Alliance. When she died, she was likely considered the first martyr for the cause. Her actions were beyond brave. She risked her life to protect her principles, even though it meant confronting difficult truths in her life. (That takes a rare kind of strength of character.)

What’s more is that Padme dies when she is at her best. Padme in RotS comes to understand the true depth and depravity of the Senate. She no longer believes in Palpatine, and she even wonders if “What if the democracy we’re fighting for no longer exists? What if the Republic itself has become the very evil we’ve been fighting to destroy?” This is a Padme who has seen the truth. This is a Padme who has finally removed herself from Palpatine’s poisonous influence. This is a Padme who can now fight without being handicapped by false beliefs. Padme was the only politician we know of to out-maneuver Palpatine, (just see TPM). Even during the Clone Wars, she stalls his plans a couple times, and catches him off-guard. Imagine then how much good Padme might have been able to accomplish now that she sees the truth? @praetor-canis has suggested that Padme was “too principled for her good” and the best wau for her was to go was with “her beloved Republic.” However, I say that her death was no kindness, but just another great tragedy, because she died when she had her best to give. The galaxy needed her firm principles, her talent, and her drive, and she would have been willing to serve as she always did, (and save her husband). She never shied away from giving her all where there was a need, nor was she a quitter. Her loss was felt throughout the galaxy. The tragedy of Padme’s death isn’t merely in how young she was, isn’t merely in the loss of Luke and Leia’s mother, isn’t merely in the affect it had on Darth Vader, isn’t merely in how it happened, but also, and perhaps most significantly, in that she was at her peak potential: Never did the galaxy need Padme more than when she was killed. 

[godzillin-art]

Padmay day 19: the Skywalker family

I always draw padme & anakin, so why not give grandma shmi some love? she loves her grandchildren :3c

[klorophile]

PadMay, Day 8. Promise3 - YELLOW —Anakin, love

Song: Promises, Handsome Ghost

[bxrriss-offee]

PadMay Day 11: Indigo