Netflix had recent jumped on the EDM bandwagon with not one, but TWO recently released movies about the genre. We sat down the other day and watched “I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead,” a piece telling the story of Steve Aoki, famed performer and cake thrower. Needless to say, we didn’t go in with the highest of hopes for this one.
This movie spends the majority of its time talking about Steve the person, vs. Steve the musician. Director Justin Krook really tried to focus on humanizing the superstar, and we admit, he does not fall short. This is about his journey to find himself in the shadow of a father (Olympian, restaurant entrepreneur, and race car driver, Rocky Aoki) that was always dialed up to 11. He lived the majority of his life with his mother and grandparents (his dad talks in the movie about how his business comes first), yearning to gain approval.
We are brought along on the journey of skinny Steve on the football team evolving to Steve the cartoon. How Steve the respectful son, went through his fight through rebellion to prove to his father that he should be proud of him. We feel for him, and feel captivated about his story. The filmmakers go to great lengths, humanizing him, making us sympathize and emphasize with his plights and exhaustion.
Eventually, it goes into the story that we all know. Young Steve decided to form a record label, it gets good traction, and he eventually starts producing and performing himself. Steve’s dad passes, and there are tearful testimonials on how he would be proud of him. We get glimpses of life on the road, difficulties being human and having relationships. We see Steve the health nut and adrenaline junkie that loves his life and his fans.
On the adverse side, were his struggles really that difficult when he had a ultra rich family to catch him, if needed? Do people still hesitate with the same fear of failure when they come from wealth? The movie tries, again, REALLY hard to make us think that him sleeping in a shitty apartment was true struggle. Lots of us aren’t buying it, but it would be nice if they at least discussed more of the role his wealth took in starting his own company.
We admit, the movie made a subject (Steve Aoki) that we normally roll our eyes at actually enjoyable. Steve is crafted to be the type of person to go hit the town with, super down to earth, healthy party guy. You like him and root for him, and wish him love and naps.
This is a great movie to waste some time watching; it’s beautifully shot, well organized, and at times, heartwarming. Even though we are not fans of his music or stage persona, this is still a decent way to kill a couple of hours.
B-
Journalist/blogger since 2009 and music lover since 1980. Bex now travels the world and writes and takes photos of dance events, creates art in various media, sings quietly to her cat in the shower, and occasionally builds something that tends to involve a blowtorch. She can usually be seen hiding behind some sort of camera rig.
