“These are the drones you're looking for,” reads an appeal for donations to a Ukraine fundraising effort next to a picture of Star Wars actor Mark Hamill.
Since Hamill was tapped as an ambassador for United24's “Army of Drones” campaign earlier this autumn, a lot has happened: He had a Zoom call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, 500 drones have already been sent to Ukraine and a new effort to raise funds towards 10 reconnaissance drones has been launched.
“The fact that they thought I could help — who am I to say no?” the actor, famed for his portrayal of Luke Skywalker, told The Associated Press during a Zoom call last week.
As one of the most well-known names in the galaxy, Hamill felt he had a responsibility to use his voice to help those in need.
“What do I have that is special? And that is, in this case, an ability to reach people,” he said from his house in Malibu, California, clad in a flannel shirt and petting his rescue dog Trixie.
In a late September press release announcing the partnership, Mr Zelenskyy was quoted as thanking Hamill for supporting Ukrainians since the beginning of the Russian invasion.
“For Ukrainians, this means a lot. As in Star Wars, good will triumph over evil and light will overcome darkness,” Mr Zelenskyy was quoted as telling Hamill. “With you in the team, there’s no other way around it.”
Hamill ascribed the sci-fi franchise's resonance to its symbolism.
“Essentially it was a fairy tale for young children and it enabled George [Lucas] to tell a story that was very clear cut, where the villains were the villains, the heroes were the heroes,” Hamill told the AP.
“And it was very clearly defined to teach a morality tale about perseverance and resistance towards an oppressive regime.”
A closer look at Abu Dhabi in Star Wars: The Force Awakens — in pictures
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Courtesy Lucasfilm -
Courtesy Lucasfilm -
Courtesy Lucasfilm -
Courtesy Lucasfilm -
Courtesy Lucasfilm
Hamill's latest effort for United24, a crowdfunding campaign launched by Mr Zelenskyy, and its “Army of Drones” initiative focuses on RQ-35 Heidrun drones, which Hamill described as sophisticated and “benign”.
“They're not lethal. They are the eyes in the sky and protect the borders and the people of Ukraine,” he said. People can also opt to “dronate” if they already have a drone in their possession.
This is not 71-year-old Hamill's first foray into current affairs.
“I have always been interested in government and politics, since before I could vote,” explains Hamill.
He is very vocal on social media when it comes to American politics and has actively campaigned for Democrats in the US.
President Joe Biden even wrote him a letter, which he read for the first time during the Zoom call: “Oh. This is the first time I’ve seen it, my wife has told me about it.”
But regardless of the accolades and the fancy stationary from the most famous house in the US, Hamill isn't striving for recognition.
“I don’t do it for this reason,” he said.
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US Actress and UN Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie comforts a young victim of the Kramatorsk railway station missile strike in Lviv children's hospital, in Western Ukraine on April 30, 2022. EPA -
This handout picture taken on August 7, 2022 shows the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, posing with US actress Jessica Chastain before a meeting in Kyiv. AFP PHOTO / Ukrainian Presidential press-service -
Jolie interacts with a child at the main railway station during her visit to Lviv. Reuters -
Zelenskyy, right, and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Ben Stiller shake hands during their meeting in Kyiv on June 20, 2022. Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP -
Stiller walks past a damaged building as he visits the Lypki neighbourhood in Irpin, Ukraine. Reuters -
US President Joe Biden, right, stands with Spanish chef Jose Andres, founder of nonprofit organisation World Food Kitchen (WCK), after meeting refugees of Russia's war with Ukraine at PGE Narodowy Stadium in Warsaw, Poland on March 26, 2022. AFP -
Jose Andres is seen on a screen giving a pre-recorded acceptance speech for receiving The Sophia Award for Excellence 2022 from Ukraine, while he works there to feed those affected by the war on March 31, 2022. EPA -
US actor and director Liev Schreiber prepares meals in the kitchen of the World Central Kitchen, for war refugees from Ukraine staying in Przemysl, Poland on April 15, 2022. EPA -
Sean Penn attends a press briefing at the Presidential Office in Kyiv, Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Reuters -
Zelenskyy, centre, talking with Sean Penn, right, next to President's office head Andriy Yermak during their meeting in Kyiv on June 28, 2022. AFP PHOTO / Ukraine's presidential press-service
