"Beetle Queen Conquers Tokyo" is a documentary about the Japanese people's age-old love affair with insects Knowing absolutely nothing about why the people of Japan view insects as creatures worthy of respect, even adoration (a trait I suspect is totally alien to people in the West where the natural reaction is to tread on them),I was eager to see this documentary which is part of the documentary season at this year's Melbourne International Film Festival. The filmmaker Jessica Oreck is a lifelong insect lover, and also animal keeper at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. Unfortunately, having an abiding passion for insects does not necessarily mean that one can just pick up a camera and start making a documentary. The age-old maxim about the closer one is to the subject, the less likely one is able to be objective about that subject, certainly holds true in this documentary. My main complaint about this film is the way it jumps from one subject to another, without any rhyme or reason, and then back again. Is the scene looking down on people cross a busy intersection holding up umbrellas meant to be a metaphor for how insects behave? What about the scene where all we see of a person is their foot? This film is let down by annoyingly sloppy camera-work. There are scenes that are completely out of focus. And the hand-held shots are so tight, and wobbly, one doesn't get a sense of what is meant to be happening. At the end of the day, it's down to the director to make sure that the camera-work is sharp, correctly focused and helps drive the film's narrative. Which brings me back full circle – that is, for the director to let someone with a more objective eye, make the kind of film this subject matter so richly deserves. That said, "Beetle Queen Conquers Tokyo" is still a fascinating, and bizarre film that details how beetles are captured, to insect-dispensing machines and upmarket insect shops where a single purchase can set you back $90,000. Four out of ten

Beetle Queen Conquers Tokyo, despite its tongue in cheek title, is a quiet, minimalist study of the Japanese obsession with insects that also sheds light on Japanese culture and outlook on life. As such, it touches on subjects as varied as entomology and Shinto Buddhism, with a meditation on the Japanese concept of beauty to boot.

The film is at its best when it helps us understand why its subjects have such a deep attachment to insects. One example of this is its discussion of the keeping of singing insects such as crickets as pets. Listening on the interviewee's discussion of the beauty of cricket song, I found myself wanting some crickets myself. The film largely avoids the temptation to treat its subjects as camp figures.

The film's minimalist approach and low budget at times act as a hindrance. For instance, the film tends to spend too much time simply watching the streets of Tokyo without relating what we see to the film's subject. Furthermore, the camera work is weak, with night shots in particular being unfocused.

Ultimately, Beetle Queen is an acquired taste, and definitely not for all audiences. It will be best appreciated by people with a serious interest in Japanese culture.

If you're one of those who possesses a chronic fear of insects,do yourself a favour & avoid this film at all costs. That aside,Jessica Oreck's stunning documentary,'Beetle Queen Conquers Tokyo' is a meditation on the people of Japan,and how & why they worship & honour beetles,crickets,etc. We see how the business of harvesting beetles are a cottage industry. Beetles & other insects are viewed with respect there (it may have a lot to do with their grasp of both Buddism & Shinto,an even more ancient religion that views nature as sacred). Jessica Oreck ('An Anatomy Of Memory')directs this loving meditation on what we in the west view as creepy crawly,and are prone to stepping on insects,rather than understanding them (such a pity). Interviews with philosophers & merchants of beetles,crickets,etc.,as well as footage of Japanese citizens being truly one with their surroundings are aplenty. Spoken in English & Japanese with English subtitles. Not rated by the MPAA,this film serves up absolutely nothing to offend (but you may consider leaving the little ones home,as they will find the subtitles a crashing bore,as well as the subject matter)