Beetle Queen Conquers Tokyo

Jessica Oreck’s Beetle Queen Conquers Tokyo sounds like a sci-fi flick involving a mutant beetle. It’s actually a documentary about how insects have been a long-standing part of Japanese culture, the beetle in particular. 

Oreck’s film is best described as a roller coaster, thoroughly intriguing at one time and punch-yourself-in-the-face-boring the next. 

According to the documentary, insects have woven themselves into nearly every aspect of Japanese society. The film shows that traditionally, Samurai would carve dragonflies into their swords and armor as a symbol of strength and honor. In modern times large beetles are often kept as house pets, and other insects are snack food at the local convenience store. 

The film explains how the Japanese see an insect’s life as a miniscule cycle of birth and rebirth (i.e., the progression of caterpillar to butterfly) and how contemporary society forgets to appreciate life’s simple pleasures. 

Despite its insightfulness, the film is too long and the failed attempt at avant-garde imagery made Facebook seem more important.

 8:45 p.m. Nov. 20 at Starz FilmCenter

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