Watch Beetle Queen Conquers Tokyo

Beetle Queen Conquers Tokyo is a documentary film that slowly weaves through Japan's tumultuous socio-cultural fabric in search of Japan's beetle-mania. The film provides a unique perspective on Japanese society that is not often featured in mainstream films. It is an exploration of Japanese culture, customs, and traditions, interwoven with fascinating information about beetles.

The film introduces the viewer to a variety of characters that have a special connection to beetles in one way or another. Each character is connected by their love of these charming creatures, considered to be a symbol of strength in Japanese culture. The protagonist of the film is Dr. Takeshi Yoro, a biologist studying the behavior of beetles.

Yoro's research reveals that beetles have a special place in Japanese culture, often viewed as symbols of good luck or even as gods. These creatures have always fascinated the Japanese, and the film explores the ancient roots of this adoration.

The film's focus is divided between interviews with beetle collectors and keepers, and footage of the Japanese countryside, where beetles are often found. The beetles are viewed as unique creatures and are collected and traded like precious gems. The Beetle Queen Conquers Tokyo captures the essence of Japanese beetles and the uniquely Japanese passion for collecting them.

Director Jessica Oreck expresses this relationship with beetles by showcasing the homes of Japanese beetle collectors in different parts of Japan. The film depicts the exquisitely arranged beetle collections of a museum that feels like a shrine or the obsession of an individual in a small Japanese home.

The film is shot with a soft, muted palette that emphasizes the beauty of the beetles and the landscapes, as well as the cultural experience of those sharing their stories. By unfolding Yoro's research into the Japanese psyche, the film tells a more complex story about a country so often portrayed in the media as homogenous, sleek, and purely modern.

The beetle collector interviews offer a glimpse into the unique lifestyle of Japanese beetle culture. One collector's home has beetle cages scattered throughout, and another follows the collector's ability to train his fully grown beetles to respond to commands. In this scene, the collector has a special beetle that appears to be in mourning, and the collector attempts to draw it out of its grief; it is a poignant and emotional moment that speaks to the shared bond between human and beetle.

The documentary reveals that the secret of the beetle lies in the Japanese way of life, which allows a profound intimacy with nature. Beetles, particularly rhinoceros beetles (kabutomushi), play influential roles in the everyday lives of Japanese people, and the documentary shows how they have permeated every aspect of Japanese society. Beetle Queen Conquers Tokyo is a remarkable film, which presents an artful and contemplative observation of the Japanese beetle phenomenon.

The documentary also includes stunning natural footage of Japanese forests, which showcase the habitat of the beetles. It gives the viewer a glimpse into the captivating world of those dedicated to the fragile balance between man and nature that ultimately defines their relationship with beetles.

In the end, Beetle Queen Conquers Tokyo captures the viewer's imagination as well as their heart. The film provides a unique glimpse into a culture that is steeped in tradition, ritual, and the beauty of the natural world. Director Jessica Oreck gives us a sensitive, profoundly human perspective on Japanese culture, drawing out the ways in which their passion for beetles has helped shape the country. Beetle Queen Conquers Tokyo is a beautifully crafted film that is a must-see for film lovers with an interest in nature, culture, and the art of documentary filmmaking.

Beetle Queen Conquers Tokyo is a 2009 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.2 and a MetaScore of 75.