© Archyde.com
The actor’s soothing baritone is even preferred by Ukrainians who want the app to “speak” to them in English.
Star Wars actor Mark Hamill has voiced the English version of an app that warns Ukrainians of an airstrike, the Associated Press reported. “Caution. Air raid alert,” he says. “Proceed to nearest shelter”.
It’s a surreal moment in an already surreal war: the powerful but soothing baritone of Star Wars actor Mark Hamill – Luke Skywalker – calls for people to take cover every time Russia launches another aerial bombardment of Ukraine.
The entry of Hollywood science fiction into the dark everyday life of the war in Ukraine is a consequence of the actor’s decision to lend his famous voice to “Air Alert” – a mobile application related to the air defense system of Ukraine.
When air raid sirens go off, the app warns Ukrainians to expect Russian missiles, bombs and deadly drones.
“Don’t be careless,” advises Hamill’s voiceover. “Overconfidence is your weakness”.
The actor says he admires – from afar, from California – how Ukraine “shows such resilience … under such terrible circumstances”. Her fight once morest the Russian invasion, now in its second year, reminds him of the “Star Wars” saga – regarding brave fighters who finally defeat a huge, threatening empire, says Mark Hamill.
Voicing the English version of the Air Raid app is his way of helping.
“A tale of good versus evil resonates with what’s happening in Ukraine,” the actor said in an interview with the Associated Press. “The Ukrainian people rallied around the cause and responded so heroically… It’s impossible not to be inspired by how they are holding out…”.
When the sky’s dangers pass, Hamill calls the end of the air alert from the app, then adds, “May the force be with you.”
The actor is also raising funds to buy reconnaissance drones for Ukrainian frontline forces. He signed Star Wars themed posters that were raffled off.
“I’m sitting in the comfort of my own home when there are power cuts in Ukraine, food shortages and people are really suffering,” Hamill said. “It motivates me to do as much as I can”.
The app also has a Ukrainian language setting voiced by a woman, but the locals prefer Mark Hamill to break the bad news that another Russian bombing may be imminent.
On the worst days, the sirens and app sound every few hours, day and night. Some of the worries are false. But many are real – and often deadly.
The app was developed by the Ukrainian company Ajax Systems, which hopes Mark Hamill’s star power will encourage people outside of Ukraine to download it – so they can get a taste of the anxiety Ukrainians are feeling regarding what’s going on everything.
