...it has become increasingly clear to us that we cannot continue publishing a fanzine for a movie in which we find so little to recommend
| Open Letter | |
|---|---|
| Title: | ...it has become increasingly clear to us that we cannot continue publishing a fanzine for a movie in which we find so little to recommend is a phrase from the letter (which is untitled) and used here on Fanlore. |
| From: | Tracy and Nancy Duncan |
| Addressed To: | Star Wars fans |
| Date(s): | January 3, 1981 |
| Medium: | |
| Fandom: | Star Wars |
| Topic: | |
| External Links: | |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
...it has become increasingly clear to us that we cannot continue publishing a fanzine for a movie in which we find so little to recommend is a 1981 open letter from Tracy Duncan and Nancy Duncan to Star Wars fans, specifically those who had been readers/subscribers to their popular zine series Against the Sith.
The letter is the third "official" statement by the Duncans regarding their dislike for the direction George Lucas took with The Empire Strikes Back. See Open Letter to Star Wars Fans by the Duncans for much more background and context.
The letter notes at the bottom that the P.O. Box address for Against the Sith will no longer be valid after March 31, 1981.
This letter appears to have been included in the last issue of Against the Sith.
Some Topics Discussed
- the Duncan sister's gafiate and flounce
- ceasing publication of their zine, and cancellation of their other Star Wars zines in the works
- their own hurt feelings
- how "other zine publishers" feel the same, aka the lurkers support me in email
- disappointment about The Empire Strikes Back, that it lacked love and was in fact, a "peeled zero" -- "To us, TESB is a dead thing with no life."
- disappointment and lack of trust for George Lucas and other TPTB
- Ironically, considering the Duncan sisters' fervor regarding Luke Skywalker and Star Wars, they admonished other fans: "Life is more than movies! I fear there are some fans who don't realize this."
The Letter
Dear readers,
It has been decided by the editors to cease publication of AGAINST THE SITH and the other fan publications- ATS #10, STAR JOURNEYS II, A RAY OF HOPE, CRUDE MATTER will not be published. Enclosed with this announcement are all refunds (see below).
Over the past months it has become increasingly clear to us that we cannot continue publishing a fanzine for a movie in which we find so little to recommend. We still stand by everything we felt in our first letter to fandom in May -- but would word it differently now. Since then, we thought we could fool ourselves, try hard to accept the film and put out two more issues [of Against the Sith] (#8 & 9). But we realized we weren't having much fun. Not only has this film fractured individual fans' emotions, fandom is fractured. Judging from feedback on #8 & 9, most people are confused and much less enthusiastic about TESB than they were about SW. The questionnaires sent back to us had such diverse answers on all the subjects listed that it proved to us that no one has any clear idea of what the film is really all about. At this point, judging from the contradictory statements from the film creators, we're not sure they know what they're doing either.
We know a lot of fans have "accepted" TESB, but we wonder how much they really love it as they loved SW. For us, TESB left out the most important ingredient: love — from which flowed an innocent sense of fun. Without this the film is a peeled zero. It is not for us any great piece of literature, philosophy or religion. The filmmakers took themselves too seriously and fandom is following suit. It happened in Star Trek and when this happens, we split.
We kept the zine going mainly because of our readers' wishes. Most seemed to care more about ATS and whether or not it was coming out than what its editors thought one way or another about the sequel. We were highly flattered by this, believe us, but we just cannot go on with a project if we find the subject so lacking. To us, TESB is a dead thing with no life.
We are not the only fans, fan editors, or SW enthusiasts who have jumped ship, either. Several prominent zine editors have let us know their misgivings and at least two others have washed their hands of the sequel and the 'future' of the SW saga. Life is more than movies! I fear there are some fans who don't realize this. But all of you out there, I hope, will understand our move. We thank all our readers for their contributions, enthusiasm and support of ATS these past two and one half years. It was fun while it lasted, while it could last. Now we seek new horizons, better horizons. Thank you one and all — friends, critics and various beings. May God (the One True Force) guide you. Go in peace,
Tracy and Nancy
The Questionnaire
Below are some images of the questionnaire referred to in the letter.
The quoted material are the two optional essay questions on the second page.
FEEL FREE TO USE THE SPACE BELOW TO ADD ANY COMMENTS TO ANY ANSWER-—Please say which question.
Question #3 - Luke should go to Dagobah and finish up his training. He would be of no use to rescue Han as he doesn't know how to deal with Jabba and his type, while Chewie and Lando definitely do, having been in that environment for a much longer time.
Question #13 - As for Luke getting a girl in third film...really?...
'get'? It's a mutual process in which the girl has to like him too! But I think whoever Luke ends up with, she's going to have to come after his dedication to the Alliance and winning the war against the Empire. Romance is nice and I don't want Luke to be by himself for ever, but in a time of war he's going to have to choose priorities. Han doesn't have to bother with that, but Leia does, that's why I think Han and Leia actually do love each other, but a total married commitment is out of the question due to her dedication to the Alliance and his roaming nature...but I certainly wouldn't be upset if they did get married!
the questionnaire (page 1) to which the Duncans refer: this one is already filled in by an unknown fan
the questionnaire (page 2) to which the Duncans refer: this one is already filled in by an unknown fan
References
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