Really, they should belong to any modern western cultural study. The Star Wars movies. When a friend of mine who shall remain nameless admitted she hadn't seen even ONE of the six movies in its entirety, I offered to tutor her.
We started lessons with a picture book my five-year-old owns. Who are the bad guys...who are the good. Once the theory was covered, we jumped into Episode I (we're working chronologically, as requested by my pupil).
The most important rule (and a departure from watching with previous fans): she was allowed, even encouraged, to ask questions. What is the function of the Jedi? Who is the father/mother of whom? We use the pause button a lot.
The second most important thing was that I had to accept her affection for Jar Jar. No making fun or groaning allowed. Gritting teeth, but managing.
This is a several week project, but when we finished Episode II, a funny thing happened. My friend asked if we could start the third movie right away, instead of waiting for the following week. I had her hooked! And whenever she was confused, she grabbed the Star Wars Illustrated Encyclopedia, leafed through the pages and finally nodded.
Tonight we start A New Hope. It's been a heck of a two days, so some space opera is just what I need right now. I can already hear the theme in my mind...
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