"Star Wars" fans in China have a reason to head out to this year's Shanghai International Film Festival. All six original films from the series are set to be aired in cinemas, which is a first in the country.

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It has been four decades since the "Star Wars" films became a hit across the globe. The original trilogy directed by George Lucas certainly had a huge impact in today's culture, but not in China. When the films had premiered in the year 1977, China was on the verge of their Cultural Revolution.

Communist leader, Mao Zedong, wanted to purge all the "impure" elements of the Chinese society. "Star Wars" was undoubtedly seen as an impure element, thus the film remained out of China cinemas for years. Obviously, Chinese fans had certainly missed out on the fun of the sci-fi film. However, this is about to change.

Now, Chinese citizens will be able to become one with the Force like the rest of the world. With the nearing release of "Star Wars Episode 7," organizers of the Shanghai International Film Festival have included all six original films of "Star Wars" in their line-up of releases in cinemas.

In a report by MSN's 9News, organizers of the Shanghai International Film Festival have made it a week-long event. In minutes, tickets for "Star Wars" films have already been sold out. Chinese fans have already shown up wearing Stormtrooper garb, while others made it to the cinema wearing C-3PO shirts.

"This will be the first-ever theatrical screening of the original trilogy in China," stated Kerwin Lo, who is the vice president and general manager of Walt Disney Studios China, in a report by CTV News, adding, "The huge buzz and excitement generated is going to be great for the Star Wars franchise and the upcoming 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens'."

Studio executives of Walt Disney in the US see the screening of "Star Wars" original films in China as preparation for the upcoming seventh film. "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," which is the seventh installment in the series, is set to hit cinemas by Dec. 18.

TagsStar Wars, Shanghai International Film Festival, cultural revolution, George Lucas