To Be Takei

Movie Title--  To Be Takei

Release Year--  2014

Running Time--  1 Hour and 34 Minutes

Director--  Jennifer M. Kroot

Cast--  George Takei, Brad Takei, Walter Koenig, William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, Nichelle Nichols, John Cho, Telly Leung, Lea Salonga, Howard Stern

A look at George Takei through the many different roles he has played in his life, including actor, politician, activist and husband.

Most people know who George Takei is due to his resurgence into pop culture over the past couple of years.  This 77 year old Japanese American man is an icon and an inspiration to anyone that has a moment to sit down and listen.

He was born April 20, 1937 to Japanese American parents and after America joins World War II, all Japanese Americans had their assets frozen and were sent to 1 of 10 American interment camps.  His family was moved from Los Angeles, California to Rohwer, Arkansas to live in the Rohwer War Relocation Center.  Takei recalls seeing the barbwire and admits it is a sight he is never going to forget.  In addition to the barbed wire, he remembers seeing the sentry tower from the school window.  His family was later moved to Tule Lake Relocation Center in California.  When the war was over his family moved back to Los Angeles.  This experience and the memories from his time behind the barbwire has helped to shape the man he is today.

Inspiring still, he began his career in the late 50's at a time in Hollywood when Asians were rarely cast for American movies and TV shows.  He started doing voice overs, which led to him getting parts in different films and television show episodes, some of them as the stereotypical Asian man, which he regrets doing.  In 1965 he is cast as Lt. Sulu for the television show "Star Trek" where he played with a very racially diverse cast, something that was a first in television at the time.

In the 70's, Takei decides to go into politics and helps to get Tom Bradley elected as Los Angeles' first African American Mayor.  Mayor Bradley later appoints Takei to the Southern California Rapid Transit District board of directors.  This board of directors is the team that initiated and made plans for the Los Angeles subway system.  He served on the board from 1973-1984 when he decided that he wanted to have more to do with the "Star Trek" films that were being produced at the time and left politics.  

However, the most inspiring part of this man is the fact that for his entire career, he kept his sexuality a secret.  He knew that he would not get work in Hollywood and would become alienated if he "came out" so, instead he keeps it to himself.  He meets Brad Altman when he joins a running club.  They are together for 18 years before Takei comes out as gay in 2005, prompted by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoing the same sex marriage legislation in California.  He then takes on an active role in gaining equality for same sex couples.

May 16, 2008 Takei and Altman announce that they are getting married, becoming the first same sex couple to apply for a marriage license West Hollywood.  They are married September 14, 2008.

In May of 2011, the Tennessee State legislature passes a bill that prohibits school children and teachers from using any language that may refer to the existence of homosexuality, named the "Don't Say Gay" bill.  Takei releases a PSA telling people to instead of saying gay, use his name as the slur in it's place.  

Of course, this isn't everything that he has done or been responsible for, but this documentary is basically about his life, his experiences with acting, becoming a politician, dealing with his homosexuality during a time of no tolerance and his participation as an activist for LGBT causes.  If you want a full back ground on this inspiring man, you can visit his Wikipedia page. 

I thought that this film was very good and as I have mentioned several times earlier, very inspiring.  This is a case where this man's childhood helped to shape the man he has become.  Also, the fact that he had to face his homosexuality in a time where people did not mention or admit that they were not attracted to the opposite sex, shows the kind of strength and discipline that helped create the man that we see today and has helped to fuel the interests he pursues now, like the activism for LGBT rights.  It is hard to be in love and have to keep it a secret from the world just because it isn't the kind of relationship that society says it "should" be.  

Seeing George Takei with his now husband Brad Takei (formerly Brad Altman) can make even the strongest advocate against same sex marriage take a step back and consider changing their mind.  As the film plays and shows the two of them together, you see that how clearly this couple is devoted to each other and they act just like any heterosexual couple would act.  At the time that this film was being made, they two had been together for 25 years.  

George Takei is also on Facebook and I will say, personally, as a fan of his page, he posts some incredibly funny content.  When this film was being made he has 5 million likes on his page.  I checked earlier and as of today he has 7.9 million views.

I say, anyone looking for a little bit of inspiration but isn't sure where to start looking, should probably start with this film.  This is a great look at a man that has overcome diversity in several different ways to become a beloved and iconic member for our culture and pop culture.  Sit down to this one and Don't Forget the Popcorn!