Beetle Queen Conquers Tokyo explores the mystery of the development of Japan’s love affair with bugs. Using insects like an anthropologist’s toolkit, the film uncovers Japanese philosophies that will shift Westerners’ perspectives on nature, beauty, life, and even the seemingly mundane realities of their day-to-day routines.

The documentary debuted last March at the 2009 SXSW in Austin, and has been on a screening tour around the globe since then. What I want to know is, why aren’t they screening in SF? I think the Bay Area audience would definitely be interested in this film. I’d like to figure out a way to organize a screening here…so if any of you out there have any suggestions, let me know. If it doesn’t happen, I might have to make a stop at the screening on my visit to SoCal.

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Words from the director:
In making Beetle Queen Conquers Tokyo, I am striking a new and unconventional approach to science education. My goal is to reach children and adults alike, and to help reframe their relationship with the natural world. My passion isn’t about genetics, it isn’t about global warming, it doesn’t follow the latest craze in the science world – but it is critically relevant to the problems of today. It is about attention to detail, patience, and ultimately harmony – all of which are so rarely present in our modern lives.

My aim is to challenge the way Westerners view nature, beauty and the hectic monotony of our day-to-day routine. It is my intention to inspire a new sense of wonder – a small sense of wonder – one that does not overwhelm, but acts, like some gentle war of attrition, to slowly but substantially coax us into rethinking how we live our lives. As with the Japanese culture, the film is subtle, but it functions as a passageway to a wholly different world of senses.

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