Eager Star Wars fans and film buffs show up for Singapore premiere of The Force Awakens

Star Wars fans in costume at Shaw Lido on Dec 16, 2015. ST PHOTO: YIP WAI YEE
Star Wars fans in costume at Shaw Lido on Dec 16, 2015. ST PHOTO: YIP WAI YEE

SINGAPORE - The Force was strong at Shaw Lido on Wednesday (Dec 16) night as hundreds of eager Star Wars fans and film buffs alike showed up - many dressed up in character - to attend Singapore's premiere of the hugely anticipated Star Wars: The Force Awakens movie.

This first-ever screening of the film here, which began at around 8.30pm, was an invite-only event open to members of the press, celebrities, trade partners and select fan groups of the iconic film series.

Well before the movie started, the buzz was high as attendees happily snapped photos with one another as they wandered around the Shaw Lido lobby donning Star Wars costumes.

Characters spotted among the crowd include Darth Vader and several Jedi, as well as lines of Stormtroopers who hail from Star Wars costuming organisation 501st Legion - Singapore Garrison.

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Ms Kate Lim, 29, who showed up in Leia's iconic slave bikini outfit, says she has been watching her figure for the past few months in preparation of this night.

Kate Lim in Leia's iconic slave bikini outfit. ST PHOTO: YIP WAI YEE

"I wanted to make sure I looked good as Leia, because it means that I respect the character. She is a strong woman who fights for what she wants, and I admire her for that," says the dancer, who spent around $800 to fashion her costume.

Local celebrities such as actors George Young, Alaric Tay and Joshua Tan were spotted taking selfies with various characters.

The gala premiere precedes Singapore's first public screening of the film at midnight.

Last month, Star Wars fans had made headlines for queuing up for 24 hours to snag tickets to this sold-out public screening.

The Force Awakens is the seventh instalment in the film series and is set 30 years after Episode VI: Return Of The Jedi (1983).

Featuring a new generation of stars such as Daisy Ridley and John Boyega alongside veteran cast members Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill, the beloved franchise is one of the most anticipated films to open in recent years.

yipwy@sph.com.sg

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