IF YOU HAVEN’T, GO WATCH "I'LL SLEEP WHEN I'M DEAD"

Of all the things that I thought I needed, a documentary about Steve Aoki wasn’t one of them, which is why I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead really took me by surprise. The film, currently streaming on Netflix, follows DJ Steve Aoki as he jets around the world to perform, works on finishing his album “Neon Future” and deals with the loss of his father.

Produced by a member of the team behind Jiro Dreams of Sushi, the film is beautifully shot with amazing footage of Aoki’s shows and festival performances. It is a beautiful film to watch, and the dreamy camerawork pulls you in much deeper into the story the film is trying to tell. Though it was initially released in 2016, the film wasn't heavily promoted on Netflix and was thus one of those random gems that you find while scrolling through recommendations, that you otherwise would have never known was there.

It isn’t very long, only an hour and nineteen minutes, but even in its short runtime, it manages to give you a completely different image of one of the highest paid DJ’s in the world. It would be very easy for the documentary to focus entirely on the excess that surrounds the nightlife and festival industries and shy away from the darker side of entertainment. I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead, contrary to expectation actually highlights the personal and emotional struggles that have shaped Aoiki’s life, including the overdose and death of his mentor and friend, DJ AM.

The film has Aoki discuss his drinking problem during the early days of his career as the pressure of constant travel began to get to him. Aoki allows himself to get very raw and honest with the interviewer as he discusses the impact that AM's death had on him. That is not to say that the film is all doom and gloom. The relationship between Steve and his mother is also given a lot of screen time. Seeing the how his mother's love and support has given him the courage to chase his dreams is one of the elements that makes the film so heartwarming.

Perhaps the biggest revelation for someone who knew very little about Aoki outside of his music was that Rocky Aoki, founder of Benihana and accomplished sportsman and daredevil, was his father. The documentary spends a great deal of time drawing comparisons between the two, and by the end of the film even does so pretty blatantly by cutting together footage of Rocky and cooks at Benihana with footage of Steve performing at festivals and packed clubs. The emphasis on the idea of how genetic the trait and talent of showmanship is is fascinating, but the most interesting part of the documentary and the reason why you should watch it is the exploration of the toll it takes to be a performer.

During the documentary, Aoki and some of his peers (Tiesto, Diplo, Will.i.am) reflect on how hard he pushes himself and how the work ethic that has made him such an international success, has also had some adverse effects. One of the most shocking revelations comes when it is revealed that his touring schedule has been so insane that it costs him the pivotal moment of debuting his album at Madison Square Garden. The film shows Aoki struggling to deal with performing three and sometimes four shows a day, all over the country, all while trying to manage various other projects. I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead is in many ways a portrait of an artist from humble roots to incredible heights. It explores the early days of Dim Mak, Aoki’s label started the living room of his college housing, and shows how with little support from his father, Aoki made a name for himself in the LA music scene and later in the industry.

Yes, I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead is a documentary about a DJ, but more then that it is is a film about family and the dedication it takes to become one of the biggest names in music. By the end of the film, you cannot help but look at Aoki less as a larger than life presence, but more as a man who is working through his own personal trauma just like the rest of us. So, if you are looking to kill some time in between family time and black Friday shopping give this film a watch.