Asian Heritage Issue Page 10 n THE ASIAN REPORTER May 5, 2014 Where no man has gone before To Be Takei Screening May 18 at 7:00pm McMenamins Kennedy School 5736 N.E. 33rd Avenue, Portland By Marie Lo The Asian Reporter eorge Takei may still be best known for his role as Mr. Sulu in the groundbreaking television show “Star Trek,” which not only explored controversial topics of its day such as racial equality, Cold War anxieties, and the Vietnam War, but it was also the first primetime show to feature a multiethnic cast. In Jennifer Kloot’s biographical docu- mentary To Be Takei, it becomes quickly evident that Takei has consistently taken on pioneering roles both on and off the screen. The film opens with Takei and his hus- band, Brad Takei, going on a power walk through their Los Angeles neighborhood. Though George is older, he is clearly the fitter and sprier one, leaving Brad a few meters behind. Brad complains that George normally doesn’t walk this fast. They bicker a bit, negotiate over which direction to go next, and then the film leads us through the different avenues of Takei’s life. What unfolds is a life that is “stranger than science fiction,” and the film explores a varied career that includes actor, public servant, activist, and cultural critic. Born on April 20, 1937, Takei was just a boy when he and his family were sent to internment camps during World War II. Later, when the war finally ended and they returned to Los Angeles, the family G current struggle for marriage equality, Takei has again taken a vocal position on behalf of LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning) rights, often appearing with Brad to promote marriage equality. The details of his life are presented through a self-conscious film that fore- grounds blurring of the personal, the pub- lic, and the political. To Be Takei explores how the personal details of Takei’s life, notably his childhood experiences in the internment camp and the struggles of be- ing a gay Asian-American actor, also be- come the platform of advocacy in his later years, suggesting that the roles he has tak- en on — activist, actor, civil servant, per- former — are inseparable from each other. The film also explores the process and constraints of documentary filmmaking Continued on page 13 ACTOR & ACTIVIST. Filmmaker Jennifer Kloot’s biographical documentary To Be Takei, which screens Sunday, May 18 at 7:00pm at McMenamins Kennedy School in Portland, follows the life of actor, public servant, activist, and cultural critic George Takei. After playing the role of Mr. Sulu in the groundbreaking television show “Star Trek,” Takei entered local politics (right photo). (Photos courtesy of Starz Digital Media) struggled to find a place in the racist climate of the post-war period. From an early age, Takei always knew he wanted to act, and he took on a series of demeaning stereotypical roles to make a living, something he now regrets. His big break, however, came when he was cast by Gene Roddenbury to play Mr. Sulu. And the rest, as they say, is history. After the series ended, Takei entered local politics, running for Los Angeles City Council and later serving with the Southern California Rapid Transit Dis- trict from 1973 to 1984. He testified before congress in support of redress for Japanese-American internment. With the resurgent popularity of the “Star Trek” television show and movies, Takei again returned to acting and to the stage. This time, however, instead of remaining in the closet about his sexuality to protect his acting career, he came out as gay. And when he did, he did so widely, going on television to take on homophobia, often with a fearless hilarity that has earned him a whole new generation of fans. In the Free new patient exam, necessary x-rays & consultation o o o o Specializing in: Implants Implant supported denture Cosmetic dentistry Full mouth reconstruction More than 22 years of experience (503) 722-9184 www.beavercreekdental.net Dr. Sean Kim 1607 Beavercreek Road Suite 200 Oregon City, OR 97045 Visit my website to search the Oregon Regional MLS for homes or request a free home value report: www.helenskau.johnlscott.com Call, text, or e-mail me about Buyer’s Agent Representation Services (No cost to homebuyers) Helen Skau Chinese Real Estate Agent with (503) 926-3138 helenskau@johnlscott.com Languages spoken: English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Hakka, Min Nan, and Indonesian. Tradition & Value “The only way to grow is to get into larger projects—It’s a great way to learn,” says Neil Lee, principal of LEEKA Architecture and Planning and DBE contractor for the Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Transit Project. I live here—I work here Neil Lee runs one of the more than 127 Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) firms that have benefited from the 4,945 direct jobs created by the light rail project.* *As of March 10, 2014 trimet.org/pm dbe@trimet.org Go Hand-in-Hand The most difficult event in anyone’s life is the loss of a loved one. What makes all the th he diff di fference in the world is choosing the right funeral provider. difference You need someone who understands tradition, faith & culture, but you also want a funeral funerral prov pr o ider who can deliver any of the services you and your loved ones may need, at the best value. value ue. provider When Wh you choose a Dignity Memorial ® provider, you receive the care you expect from a locally locally- y- op ent t operated establishment, plus an array of value-driven services that is unmatched by independen independent funeral fune fu n ral homes. The Dignity Memorial ® network: America’s leading funeral homes and cemeteries, cem ce meteries, united to bring you the services you need when it matters most. Young’s Funeral Home Pegg, Paxson & Springer Funeral Chapel Chap apel el 11 11831 183 831 1 SW Pacific Highway, Tigar Tigard, a d, OR 97223 4675 SW Watson Avenue, Beaverton, OR 97005 970 7005 05 503-639-1206 503- 50 3-63 639- 9-12 1206 06 503-644-1176 503- 50 - 64 644- 4-11 1176 76 www.youngsfuneralhome.org www. ww w.yo youn ungs gsfu fune nera ralh lhom ome. e.or orgg www.peggpaxsonspringerfuneralhome.com www. ww w.pe pegg ggpa paxs xson onsp spri ring nger erfu fune nera ralh lhom ome. e.co com m This pro program rogram gram is not finan financed ced by or o r connec co connected nnected in n a any ny manne m manner ner r with wi th any a ny governmental g ov nmen gover nmental al agency agen gency cy or o veteran’s vetera ve eran’s n’s or o other ther org or organization. anizatio aniz tion. n