Meet the Australian Star Wars fanatics who dodged sleep to attend the first midnight sessions of The Force Awakens.
The late night screening of the much anticipated instalment in the sci-fi series drew fans from all walks of life at a cinema in Newtown, Sydney.
Newtown attracts an eclectic crowd even during the day, so it made for a surreal scene as wookies, jedis, and sith lords descended on the suburb.
Let’s meet the fans.
Jullian and Chris
This super-fan couple were among the first to arrive at the screening more than an hour before the force awoke.
Jillian and Chris were among the first fans to arrive at the Force Awakens midnight session at Dendy Newtown. Source: SBS
Jullian said her main motivation to attend the midnight session was to avoid spoilers on the internet.
Most people are pretty good these days,” she said, dressed in Rebel pilot attire.
“But there’s no way I was going to have it spoiled for me!”
Chris was fast to defend his Star Wars cred, despite a lack of costume.
“She’s a fan, but I’m a super fan,” he insisted, before the pair shared a kiss worthy of Han Solo and Leia.
Naomi, Amanda, and Anne-Marie
These girls, dressed as two Leias and a sith lord were fresh from a test worthy of Luke- Naomi had managed to watch all six Star Wars films starting early in the morning before the midnight premiere.
Naomi, Amanda, and Anne-Marie brought a sense of style to Star Wars. Source: SBS
“I’ve been watching the VHS since I was 10, I still have them even though they're more like paperweights now,” said Amanda.
“The prequels let me down, but I am so excited for tonight.”
She was, as they entered the cinema the girls grasped hands and giggled with joy.
Stephen and Mitch
These boys were the most popular people at the session, thanks to their remote-controlled, inflatable R2-D2.
Stephen and Mitch brought their own R2-D2 Source: SBS
“My parents gave me a great Star Wars education,” he said, as he manoeuvred the droid around the feet of passers-by.
Mitch had perhaps the most controversial fan-theory of the night.
“Leia is going to be the ultimate villain of the series,” he said, to which Stephen replied “that would be epic!"
Jeffim
Jeffim was difficult to speak to under his Darth Vader mask, but he was perhaps the most excited of the fans.
Newtown's Jeffim dressed as Darth Vader. Source: SBS
“I’ve been waiting since 2005 for this, I was too young to ever go to a midnight session before so this has been very, very exciting,” he said as he batted off a young man dressed as Luke with his red lightsabre.
"I think the dark side is going to win, and it will all end in that cave on Dagobah.”
Lila
This was not the first space rodeo for Lila, who went to the last midnight session while she was living in Portland, Oregon.
Lila is an American fan who adores midnight sessions. Source: SBS
“I have work tomorrow but I had to come tonight, I didn’t want to hear any spoilers,” she said.
“I am really tired so I didn’t get much sleep, but I’ve got energy drinks so everything is going to be okay.”
Benn
Benn was one of the many fans gulping down coffee prior to the session.
Benn is the typical Newtown Star Wars fan, a little nerdy and very cool. Source: SBS
“I am a Star Wars fanatic, I saw all the prequels in the cinemas but this is going to be so much better,” he said, grinning.
“I really hope the magic comes back, anything can happen, and all I really want to know is what is going to happen to Luke Skywalker.”
David
David looked bewildered by his surroundings, despite his vintage Star Wars t-shirt, he couldn't help but swivel his head as fully costumed fans walked past.
David brought vintage Star Wars style to the midnight screening. Source: SBS
“My friend invited me along tonight and I thought, hey, why not,” he said.
“I am the only one who actually thinks Luke is going to be good, there’s no way he’s gone to the dark side.”
Ed
Ed, dressed in perfect jedi robes down to the boots, was one of the last fans to arrive but one of the most enthusiastic.
Ed has been a Star Wars fan since childhood. Source: SBS
“I can’t wait, this is telling of my age but I’ve been waiting for this for 20 years,” he said.
“I really want to meet the new characters, see who Kylo Ren [a new villain] really is under that mask.”
He ran off, the last fan of hundreds to get into the Newtown midnight cinema session, all who would emerge hours later, dazed smiles plastered across their faces.
"Oh, and may the force be with you,” he yelled before disappearing into the darkness.
