Disney and the Epilepsy Foundation, on Monday, December 9, issued a warning ahead of the December 16, premiere of the highly anticipated Star Wars; The Rise of Skywalker movie indicating some scenes could potentially affect viewers with certain epileptic conditions.
In a report published by CNN, Disney issued the statement in conjunction with the Epilepsy Foundation, warning viewers that the film contained "several sequences with imagery and sustained flashing lights" that could affect viewers with photosensitive epilepsy.
"Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker," the highly-anticipated conclusion to the Skywalker saga, could trigger seizures in photosensitive people,”
“Photosensitive epilepsy happens to be more common in young people, and happens less as those with epilepsy age,” read Walt Disney statement as quoted by CNN.
However, Disney recommended that people with the epileptic condition could still watch the movie but with close monitoring in case the effects occur.
“The warning doesn't mean "Star Wars" lovers with epilepsy can't find out how Rey, Kylo Ren and co. end the series. The Epilepsy Foundation recommends asking a friend to watch the film first and taking that friend to see the film again to warn about the scenes before they happen,”
“It also helps if that friend knows seizure first aid, stay with the person, keep them safe and away from objects that could harm them and turn the person on their side if they're not conscious,” read the statement.
In June 2018, ahead of the premiere of another Disney film, Incredibles II, similar warnings were posted in theateres following concerns raised on social media. The film contained the same sequences of flashing lights identified to have the potential of triggering seizures.
CNN also reported that in 1977, similar flashing lights in Pokemon, a popular tlevision cartoon at the time, were linked to hundreds of cases of convulsions and vomiting among other symptomps in Japaenese children.
According to the Kenya Association for the Welfare of People Living With Epilepsy, epilepsy is a brain condition that causes repeated seizures.
The association further states that It is usually easily treatable when detected early and more than 80% of patients can become seizure-free.
According to the World Health Organisation, more than 50 million people in the world are affected by epilepsy.
