Paris hosts from February 15 to June 30 2014 a comprehensive Stars Wars exhibition on the theme of identity, featuring selected characters from this saga, inviting us to better understand them and to better understand ourselves in the process by asking the question “What forces shape you”?

La Cité du Cinéma will be the stage of the European premiere of Star Wars Identities, an exhibition taking up 2000 m2, the area of two plateaus, displaying 200 original props, mock-ups, accessories and costumes from the Lucas Arts Museum, taking us on an interactive journey through the Star Wars imagery. The French capital will the first of a number of European cities to receive this exhibition which started at the Montréal Science Centre in April 2012 and would later take place at the Canadian Aviation and Space Museum in the Summer 2013.

  This exhibition revolves around the theme of Identity and is there to provide a better understanding of the Star Wars characters. By getting to know them we get to know ourselves in the process. Star Wars Identity is made up of three main sections showing the progression of identity from childhood to adulthood using “ten components that help make us who we are: species, genes, parents, culture, mentors, friends, events, occupation, personality, and values”. By looking at some of these components we get to know the evolution of the likes of Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, Princess Lea or Yoda and learn “how these components affect identity”, reads the exhibition text.

The exhibition is here for 90 minutes of delight for both fans and non-fans of this modern day saga and features 10 videos for each of the aforementioned components with animated graphics that are there to explain “how each component plays a part in shaping who we are”. —“we” in this case referring simultaneously to the fictional characters of the Star Wars universe and to the visitors themselves. Another interesting possibility uner the motto “What forces shape” is to find out which Star Wars hero would you be, something you can find for yourself by using a smart bracelet and answering a number of questions on identity in the many interactive stations scattered throughout the exhibition.

Identity is a true journey through the imagery of Star Wars, but also a re-visitation of ourselves and our history. Released in 1977, Star Wars has conquered audiences worldwide showing a future world using a number of references from human history, heroes that we can trace back to the big books that have helped shaping religions and nations. By referring to genetics, neuropsychology, health sciences and psychology Star Wars Identities takes us deeper in the world of good and evil and to our own existence as sinners and repented sinners, a world where Luke Skywalkers and Obi Wan Kenobis coexist with Darth Vaders and Palpatine Senators.