Star Wars Episode IV: A New Pope

Remember that I've already told you about the awkward resemblance between Pope Benedict XVI (aka Ratzinger, aka Panzerkardinal) and the evil Emperor Palpatine from the Star Wars saga, one of the most demonic vilains in the movie history?

Well, the other time I showed you convincing pictures, and now it's time for you to show actual evidence that Darth Ratzi is as evil as Palpatine, not only because of his grim face…



… but also because of his stands on a great many things (just to quote a couple of words from Return of the Jedi:



This one is called "Star Wars Episode IV: A New Pope", a pun on "Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope".



Striking, isn't it? This video was called "Dark Pope of the Sith", a pun on "Dark Lord of the Sith".

And to finish with, some genius had the idea of buying a little sculpture of the pope (which would be, otherwise, really dumb) and dress it with a dark cloak so that… he ended up with something like this:



Even more stricking, wasn't it?

If you don't know what to buy me for my birthday, I'd be delighted to get such a sculpture. It'd make a perfect addition to my collection (just to quote a few words from General Grievous).

Darth Ratzi: the Pics

Here are some pictures I found on the Internet, showing striking likelinesses between Emperor Palpatine and the evil pope Benedict XVI (aka Jozeph Ratzinger, aka Darth Ratzi).

This is a first picture showing our Darth Razti training at fighting with a lightsaber:


Two other pics showing the everything-but-benevolent look of Palpatine & Ratzi:


Striking, isn't it? But wait, there's more: when Darth Ratzi took control over the dictatorship of Vatican (true: Vatican is the only country of Europe whose head of State is NOT elected by its citizens; and for the record, in kingdoms the head of state is indeed a king/queen, but the Prime minister actually fulfils this function), he raised his arms towards the sky, and almost used his evil powers to shock the crowd (as shown on the picture).



So, now, I hope you see Benedict XVI in a different way. He just looked evil when I first saw him. My insight proved to be true when I heard about what he said about important issues (e.g. contraception, abortion, priests' marriage…), taking ultra-conservative opinions. (But what could we wait from a pope… Who the hell am I kidding?)

A Glimpse On Belgian Politics

Today, I went to vote for thee general elections. Not only because I had to (voting is compulsory in Belgium), but because I think it is necessary that one can directly express his/her choice as to those who are going to rule the country. (Or not, if you vote for the losers…) I'm not going to talk about politics here, but I just wanted to show you this video, coming from a show broadcast last Friday, at the end of which the presidents of the four main democratic parties in Wallonia had to present another president with something. Here's what it looks like:



What an debate. I very much appreciated Elio Di Rupo's comment on Didier Reynders's comment:

Joëlle Milquet:
Un petit kit de super magicien, puisque je pense que Didier Reynders, en termes d'illusionnisme, a beaucoup de talent : il est parvenu à nous dire que 883 millions — excusez-moi, je le dis quand même — ce n'était pas grand-chose ; il est parvenu à essayer de dire qu'on était scotché au PS alors que ça fait 8 ans qu'il l'est, et il est presque parvenu à faire croire qu'il était dans l'opposition en sortant de son propre gouvernement, et donc je trouve qu'il y a tout le mode d'emploi, et j'espère qu'il en fera bon usage en attendant les élections…

Didier Reynders:
Toutes les couleurs y sont, et comme on ne devrait pas être agressif ce soir — monsieur le demandait — je vais effectivement l'utiliser ; quand j'en aurai bien compris les règles et le fonctionnement, je l'offrirai au nouveau Collège de Charleroi.

Johanne Montay:
À vous M. Di Rupo, votre cadeau.

Elio Di Rupo:
Ben écoutez, voilà, j'ai appris il y a quelques heures que je devais offrir un cadeau, et donc — et vous l'avez vu, son dernier mot a encore été désobligeant — et donc j'ai voulu remettre à M. Reynders quelques produits qui rendent extrêmement calme, pour rester zen, zen et garder son sang froid, donc je le remets bien volontiers…

Didier Reynders:
Oh mais c'est avec plaisir… [Comment: Mon cul !]

Elio Di Rupo:
… deux trois produits homéopathiques, quelques tisanes et tout ça ; et pour mes collègues…

(…)

Jean-Michel Javaux:
— On s'en fout de mon cadeau, ou quoi ?

Harry Potter is Luke and Voldemort is Vader???

When things get mixed up – and in this case Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire with voices from Star Wars – Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back – you get little gems like this:

The Powers of the Ark of the Covenant

The other day, I was talking about the famous Ark of the Covenant, because we see it in Indiana Jones and the Lost Ark. Here's an extract from the movie that explains its power and why it is sought by the Nazis. In this extract, we can see, besides Harrison Ford (Dr. Jones), Denholm Elliot, whom we saw this afternoon by watching a film version of the short story The Signalman by Charles Dickens.
(Unknown undertitling.)



The music is terrific. Thank you, John Williams!

Promise of Power

This scene from Star Wars - Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, is also one of the most important scenes of the whole saga. There's the original version, followed by the French adaptation.


ORIGINAL VERSION (featuring Ian McDiarmid as Chancellor Palpatine and Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker)

(In Palpatine's private office)

PALPATINE
They don’t trust you, Anakin. They see your future, they know your power would be too strong to control. You must break through the fog of lies the Jedi have created around you. Let me help you to know the subtleties of the Force.

ANAKIN
How do you know the ways of the Force?

PALPATINE
My mentor told me everything about the Force. Even the nature of the Dark Side . . .

ANAKIN
You know the Dark Side?

PALPATINE
Anakin . . . If one is to understand the great mystery, one must study all its aspects; not just the dogmatic, narrow view of the Jedi. If you wish to become a complete and wise leader, you must embrace . . . a larger view of the Force. Be careful of the Jedi, Anakin. Only through me can you achieve a power greater than any Jedi. Learn to know the Dark Side of the Force, and you will be able to save your wife from certain death.

ANAKIN
What did you say?

PALPATINE
Use my knowledge, I beg you!

ANAKIN
You are the Sith Lord!

PALPATINE
I know what’s been troubling you. Listen to me . . . Don’t continue to be a pawn of the Jedi Council! Ever since I’ve known you, you’ve been searching for a life greater than that of an ordinary Jedi; a life of significance, of conscience . . . Are you going to kill me?

ANAKIN
I would certainly like to.

PALPATINE
I know you would. I can feel your anger. It gives you focus. Makes you stronger.

ANAKIN
I’m gonna turn you over the Jedi Council.

PALPATINE
Of course, you should. But you’re not sure of their intentions, are you?

ANAKIN
I will quickly discover the truth of all this.

PALPATINE
You have great wisdom, Anakin. Know the power of the Dark Side, the power to save Padmé.

———————————————————————————————

FRENCH VERSION (with the voices of Georges Claisse as Palpatine and Emmanuel Garijo as Anakin)

(Dans les appartements privés du Chancelier Palpatine)

PALPATINE
Ils n’ont aucune confiance en toi. Ils voient ton avenir, et ils savent que ton pouvoir sera si grand qu’il échappera à leur contrôle. Il faut que tu franchisses cet écran de fumée mensonger que les Jedi ont créé autour de toi. Laisse-moi t’apprendre toutes les subtilités de la Force !

ANAKIN
D’où vous vient cette connaissance ?

PALPATINE
Mon mentor m’a tout appris sur la Force. Jusqu’à la vraie nature du Côté Obscur.

ANAKIN
Vous la connaissez ? !

PALPATINE
Anakin… Si l’on désire tirer au clair le grand mystère, il convient d’en étudier tous les aspects, et non de s’en tenir à la vision étroite et dogmatique des Jedi. Si tu veux devenir un chef complet et avisé, il te faut embrasser … l’ensemble de la Force. Méfie-toi des Jedi, Anakin. Ce n’est qu’à travers moi que tu pourras acquérir un pouvoir plus grand qu’aucun autre Jedi. Apprends à connaître le Côté Obscur de la Force, et tu seras capable de sauver ta femme d’une mort certaine.

ANAKIN
Qu’est-ce que vous dites ? !

PALPATINE
Utilise mes connaissances, je t’en conjure !

ANAKIN
Vous êtes le Seigneur Noir des Sith !

PALPATINE
Je sais d’où vient ton trouble. Ecoute-moi… Cesse d’être utilisé comme un pion par les Jedi et leur Conseil. Depuis que je te connais, depuis toujours, tu rêves d’une vie plus exaltante que celle d’un Jedi ordinaire ; une vie qui ait un vrai sens, une vraie conscience… Est-ce que tu vas me tuer ?

ANAKIN
Je dois dire que la tentation est grande.

PALPATINE
Je sais que tu le ferais. Je sens la violence de ta colère. Elle accroît ta force, et la puissance de ta volonté.

ANAKIN
Je n’ai pas d’autre choix que de vous dénoncer au Conseil.

PALPATINE
Evidemment c’est ce que tu devrais faire, mais tu n’es pas encore tout à fait sûr de leurs intentions ?

ANAKIN
Je ne tarderai pas à découvrir toute la vérité.

PALPATINE
Tu jouis déjà d’une grande sagesse, Anakin. Le Côté Obscur et lui seul te donnera le pouvoir de sauver Padmé.

The Key Scene of the Whole Star Wars Saga

As a Star Wars fan eversince I'm a little boy, I was eager to see the last film of the saga in May 2005. Here is the transcript of what I think to be the most important scene of the whole saga. You'll also find the French translation, and spot a few adaptation that seem a little bit akward, but necessary for the post-synchronisation. (More about that topic later.) The address of this blog comes from this scene. That sentence can be applied to lots of real-life situations, if you think about it.

—————————————————————————————

ORIGINAL VERSION (featuring Ian McDiarmid as Chancellor Palpatine and Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker)

(In Chancellor Palpatine's private lodge, in the Coruscant Opera.)

PALPATINE
Anakin, you know I’m not able to rely on the Jedi Council. If they haven’t included you in their plot, they will soon.

ANAKIN
I'm not sure I understand.

PALPATINE
You must sense what I have come to suspect . . . the Jedi Council want control of the Republic . . . they're planning to betray me.

ANAKIN
I don't think . . .

PALPATINE
Anakin, search your feelings. You know, don't you?

ANAKIN
I know they don't trust you . . .

PALPATINE
Or the Senate . . . or the Republic . . . or democracy, for that matter.

ANAKIN
I have to admit, my trust in them has been shaken.

PALPATINE
Why? They asked you to do something that made you feel dishonest, didn't they? They asked you to spy on me, didn't they?

ANAKIN
I don't... I don't know what to say.

PALPATINE
Remember back to your early teachings. Anakin. "All who gain power are afraid to lose it." Even the Jedi.

ANAKIN
The Jedi use their power for good.

PALPATINE
Good is a point of view, Anakin. The Sith and the Jedi are similar in almost every way, including their quest for greater power.

ANAKIN
The Sith rely on their passion for their strength. They think inwards—only about themselves.

PALPATINE
And the Jedi don't?

ANAKIN
The Jedi are selfless . . . they only care about others.

PALPATINE
Did you ever hear the tragedy of Darth Plagueis the Wise?

ANAKIN
No.

PALPATINE
I thought not. It's not a story the Jedi would tell you. It's a Sith legend. Darth Plagueis was a Dark Lord of the Sith . . . so powerful and so wise . . . he could use the Force to influence the midi-chlorians . . . to create . . . life. He had such a knowledge of the Dark Side . . . he could even keep the ones he cared about . . . from dying.

ANAKIN
He could actually . . . save people from death?

PALPATINE
The Dark Side of the Force is a pathway to many abilities some consider to be unnatural.

ANAKIN
What happened to him?

PALPATINE
He became so powerful . . . the only thing he was afraid of was . . . losing his power, which eventually, of course, he did. Unfortunately, he taught his apprentice everything he knew, then his apprentice killed him in his sleep. It's ironic: he could save others from death, but not himself.

ANAKIN
Is it possible to learn this power?

PALPATINE
Not from a Jedi.

———————————————————————
FRENCH VERSION (with voices of Georges Claisse as Palpatine and Emmanuel Garijo as Anakin)

PALPATINE
Anakin, tu sais que je ne pourrai jamais me fier au Conseil des Jedi. S’ils ne t’ont pas encore impliqué dans leur complot, ça ne saurait tarder.

ANAKIN
Je ne suis pas sûr de bien comprendre.

PALPATINE
Je suis persuadé que toi aussi tu pressens ce que j’en suis venu à soupçonner : le Conseil des Jedi a décidé de prendre le contrôle de la République. Ils s’apprêtent à s’en prendre à moi.

ANAKIN
Je doute que ce soit —

PALPATINE
Anakin… Ecoute ton intuition. Tu le sais, n’est-ce pas ?

ANAKIN
Je sais qu’ils se méfient de vous.

PALPATINE
Mm. Et du Sénat. Et de la République. Et de la démocratie, par-dessus de marché.

ANAKIN
Je dois l’admettre : ma confiance en eux est un peu ébranlée.

PALPATINE
Pourquoi ? Ils t’ont chargé d’une mission que tu perçois comme profondément déloyale… ? Ils t’ont chargé de m’espionner, c’est ça ?

ANAKIN
Je ne sais pas… Je ne sais pas quoi dire.

PALPATINE
Remémore-toi ce qui t’a jadis été enseigné : « Quiconque détient un pouvoir a peur de le perdre ». Ça vaut pour les Jedi.

ANAKIN
Les Jedi sont au service du Bien.

PALPATINE
Le Bien est une question de point de vue, Anakin. Les Sith et les Jedi sont similaires, ils se ressemblent quasiment en tous points. Y compris dans leur quête d’un plus grand pouvoir.

ANAKIN
Les Sith cultivent la passion de la Force, rien d’autre. Et ils sont entièrement tournés vers eux-mêmes.

PALPATINE
Ah oui ? parce que les Jedi sont différents ?

ANAKIN
Les Jedi sont désintéressés. Ils pensent d’abord aux autres.

PALPATINE
Mm. Est-ce que tu connais l’histoire tragique de Dark Plagueis le Sage ?

ANAKIN
Non.

PALPATINE
Ça ne m’étonne pas. Ce n’est pas le genre d’histoire que racontent les Jedi. C’est une légende Sith. Dark Plagueis était un Seigneur Noir des Sith… tellement puissant et tellement sage… qu’il pouvait utiliser la Force pour influer sur les midichloriens… et pouvait… créer la vie. En outre, sa connaissance du Côté Obscur était telle… qu’il arrivait aussi à empêcher ceux dont l’existence lui importaient… de mourir.

ANAKIN
Vous voulez dire… qu’il avait vaincu la mort ?

PALPATINE
Le Côté Obscur de la Force est un moyen d’acquérir de nombreuses facultés considérées par certains comme contraires à la nature.

ANAKIN
Et… Que lui est-il arrivé ?

PALPATINE
Il était devenu tellement puissant… que la seule chose qui lui faisait encore peur… était de perdre son pouvoir, ce qui, bien sûr, arriva un jour. Il fit l’erreur d’enseigner à son jeune apprenti son savoir et tous ses secrets, et cet apprenti le tua pendant qu’il dormait. Quelle ironie : il avait vaincu la mort pour les autres, mais la sienne, il n’a pas su l’éviter.

ANAKIN
Est-ce qu’il est possible d’acquérir ce pouvoir ?

PALPATINE
En aucun cas auprès d’un Jedi.