Film & TV

Feast Film Festival Review: To Be Takei

To Be Takei

The Australian premiere of this documentary about the self-labelled “best helmsman in the galaxy” might just help you live long and prosper. Oh myyy!

 

To Be TakeiIf success can be measured in social media numbers, George Takei has his fair share. 1.2million Twitter followers and 7.1million Facebook ‘likes’ are helped by his popularity as Star Trek character Sulu, his support from LGBT (lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender) communities and same-sex marriage advocates, and a lot of hard work.

The documentary To Be Takei takes its name from the slogan Takei conceived, “It’s OK to be Takei”, when US lawmakers proposed omitting the word gay from classrooms. Turning political-correctness-gone-mad into a publicity opportunity speaks to why Takei, 76, stars in his own documentary, rather than having a bit role in a Whatever Happened To… special.

Directed by Jennifer M Kroot, To Be Takei features interviews with Star Trek actors Nichelle Nichols, Leonard Nimoy, Walter Koenig, and despite (or perhaps because of) a long and bizarre feud, a few words of friendship denial from William Shatner. A glimpse of self-admitted venom from Takei when speaking at the latter’s comedy roast suggests there is more to the story than the public are permitted to see. In part, it’s why this documentary feels controlled. This is not a warts-and-all exposé but is more akin to an infomercial for the George Takei brand, about which there are plenty of good things to say.

Takei’s diverse acting career is chronicled alongside the story that he reportedly made this documentary to raise awareness of his internment as a child during WWII. As Japanese Americans, Takei’s entire family lost their home, business and savings, to be imprisoned for years. It is an extraordinary chapter in American history, with the stock footage and stills of the barracks, and the racist graffiti that greeted Japanese Americans on their release, are as fascinating as they are disturbing. Takei’s musical of the story, Allegiance, is awaiting Broadway release.

If you are a fan of the inspiring George Takei, this documentary about the self-labelled “best helmsman in the galaxy” might just help you live long and prosper. (There are also some Internet-ripped shots of Spock and Kirk in heated embraces. Without shirts. Oh myyy!)

The Australian premiere of To Be Takei will screen at 2pm on Saturday 5 July 2014 with Adelaide-made short film Birdbath at the Mercury Cinema. Tickets are available from the Feast office, through FeastTix online or phone 8463 0684, or at the door if not sold out.

Reviewed by Gordon Forester
Twitter: @GordonForester

Rating out of 10:  6

 

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