A SPECIAL EVENING WITH GEORGE TAKEI!
With a Screening of the Acclaimed Documentary, To Be
Takei, and gala book signing reception of his important new NY Times
bestselling children’s book, My Lost Freedom: A Japanese American World War
II Story
Tuesday, October 15th at 7 PM
$60 Member | $75 Public
Tickets include film screening,
interview with Q&A, a copy of his important new NY Times bestselling
children’s book, My Lost Freedom: A Japanese American World War II Story,
& gala book signing reception with live musical entertainment
SPECIAL NOTE: George Takei is honored to be appearing at the Cinema Arts
Centre and is not receiving any fee or honorarium. All profits go to support
Cinema Arts Centre.
The Cinema Arts Centre is honored to host world-renowned actor, author and
activist, George Takei. George Takei, of course, has appeared in more
than forty feature films and hundreds of television series, most famously as Hikaru
Sulu, helmsman of the Starship Enterprise in the original Star Trek
and in six blockbuster Star Trek feature films. But like Star
Trek’s iconic introductory voice-over, Takei's story goes where few have
gone before.
George Takei is a civil rights activist, social media superstar, Grammy-nominated
recording artist, New York Times bestselling author, and pioneering
actor whose career has spanned six decades. He has used his success as a
platform to fight for social justice, LGBTQ+ rights, and marriage equality. His
advocacy is personal: during World War II, George spent his childhood unjustly
imprisoned in US incarceration camps along with more than 125,000 other
Japanese Americans. This experience inspired the musical Allegiance,
in which George made his Broadway debut in 2018, and again in London, where it
was staged anew in 2023.
Over the years he has appeared in TV series ranging from The
Twilight Zone, The Big Bang Theory and Will &
Grace to Psych and Ridley Scott’s The
Terror in 2019. His rich baritone has provided narration for the Ken
Burns / PBS series The National Parks, while his voiceover
work has ranged from The Simpsons to the animated feature, Mulan.
Winner of numerous awards and conferred with Honorary
Doctorates by universities around the globe, George Takei now serves as
Chairman Emeritus and a member of the Japanese American National Museum’s
board of trustees. George served on the board of the Japan–United States
Friendship Commission and, in 2004, was given the Gold Rays with Rosette
of the Order of the Rising Sun by the emperor of Japan for his contribution
to US-Japan relations.
Film Screening:
To Be Takei. From outer space to Capitol Hill, from the
silver screen to YouTube, the legendary George Takei has blazed his own
trail while conquering new frontiers with a beaming trademark grin. Oh, my! To
Be Takei is a look at the many roles played by this eclectic actor and
activist. His wit, humor and grace have helped him to become an internationally
beloved figure and Internet phenomenon with 7-million Facebook fans and
counting. Those testifying to Takei’s charisma include Leonard Nimoy,
William Shatner, Nichelle Nichols, Walter Koenig, Senator Daniel Inouye,
Dan Savage, Howard Stern, and George and Brad Takei themselves. The
film offers unprecedented access to the daily life of George and his
husband/business partner Brad and chronicles George's fascinating personal
journey from Japanese American internment camps to his iconic and
groundbreaking role as Sulu on Star Trek, and his rise as
a pop culture icon. (USA, 2014, 94 mins. | Dir. Jennifer Kroot)
George Takei’s new book:
My Lost Freedom: A Japanese American World War II Story, is the
moving, beautifully illustrated true story for children ages 6 to 9 about
growing up in Japanese American incarceration camps during World War II -
from George Takei, the iconic Star Trek actor, activist, author,
world-renowned social influencer and tireless educator. Published lovingly in
hardcover - and a pleasure for adults as well - Takei’s heartfelt account will
make an important and enlightening gift for the children in your lives. Takei
looks back at his own memories to help children today understand what it feels
like to be treated as an enemy by your own country. Featuring powerful,
meticulously researched watercolor paintings by Michelle Lee, this is a story
of a family’s courage, a young boy’s resilience, and the importance of staying
true to yourself in the face of injustice.
"A candid yet tender glimpse at a bleak chapter in U.S.
history." —Kirkus Reviews
"Takei’s narration is contemplative but conversational, inviting the
reader to see his experience both through the eyes of his child self and the
somber reflections of an adult." —The Bulletin
"This worthwhile picture book introduces an important topic in American
history." —Booklist
The Cinema Arts Centre will be purchasing additional copies of My Lost
Freedom to donate to regional school libraries
Produced by Jud Newborn
Thanks to Our Sponsors
Mike Soloway, Guitarist
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