A PRINCESS ON-SCREEN AND OFF CARRIE FISHER 1956-2016
A GREAT LOSS: She touched the hearts and lives of many
FANS of Star Wars woke up yesterday to grave news of Carrie Fisher’s death, the actress best known for playing Princess Leia Organa in the sci-fi movie.
The Star Wars Malaysia Fan Club (SWMFC) Facebook page was swamped with outpouring of grief as news of the actress broke.
SWMFC honorary secretary Sanjiv Indran told the New Straits Times that the administrator of its Facebook page had to limit the number of posts on the actress’s death.
“Princess Leia is one of the three main characters in the Star Wars universe. On top of that, she is one of the most prominent female characters in the franchise.
“Through her, Star Wars introduced a female character who not only does not need saving, but who is willing to fight. A lot of fanboys and fangirls identify deeply with her. Her death has left a hole in our hearts,” he said.
Fisher died on Tuesday at the age of 60, days after she suffered a heart attack on a flight from London to Los Angeles, leaving Star Wars fans across the globe devastated.
Force Arts Stunt Team member Ahmad Akram Tobeng said the way Fisher portrayed the character of Princess Leia changed a lot of people’s perception on how a princess should be.
“Leia was not your ordinary princess. She is kind and gentle, yet fearless and outspoken.
“She changed my perception on how princesses ought to be and how women can lead men in the frontier. She may be gone, but her legacy and memory will surely remain.”
Netizens nationwide expressed their grief on Fisher’s death, describing it as a great loss.
While some penned down their sadness, others posted pictures of her during her prime years.
One Facebook user said Fisher not only affected her through Star Wars, but had helped many when she openly addressed mental health.
“Fisher addressed mental health as openly as people talked about Star Wars. I fell in love with her in interviews. She was not scared to be herself. Rest in peace, Princess,” Annatasha Saifol said.
Joyesh Akash, in a Facebook post, said Fisher had finally lost her battle to “the dark side”.
“May the force forever be strong with her and may she rest in peace.”
As a child, Visithra Manikam hated the sight of Princess Leia in her slave costume.
“Only much later it dawned on me
that, at the end, Leia killed her oppressor. She was one of the strongest female characters a child can grow up with.
“She stood up for what she believed in, fought alongside and stood out among her male colleagues. I loved the fact that she never felt or acted as if a woman had limitations, and this was way back in 1977,” she said.