District 9 a Thrilling South African Blockbuster
Peter Jackson Prodigy Intricately Blends Politics With...Aliens?
Oct 15, 2009
South African Cinema. Admittedly, not a phrase uttered very often and certainly not in the mainstream. Recently, however, the phrase has taken on a new meaning as one title sweeps into multiplexes across the world. District 9. With an ingenious marketing campaign of 'humans only' signs everywhere it has piqued the British public's interest and, judging on the critical acclaim and box office sales, has delivered.
Based on an award winning short Alive in Joburg that is compulsory viewing, director Neill Blomkamp has with his first feature sent waves of excitement amongst the industry. Just what else is this man capable of? Made on a micro budget of $30 million (and this is no costume drama) it succeeds in punching well above its weight. It looks incredible, the effects more than match up to its bloated Hollywood counterparts who have five times the cash to play with, and it's guaranteed to be more entertaining. That's 100% guaranteed, by the way. Fully legitimate.
Alien Invasion! But Seriously, Why Johannesburg?
In 1982 an alien spaceship halts above Johannesburg, separated from its mother ship, seemingly unable to move. Upon its eventual exploration it is found to be full of under nourished arthropod-type aliens, derogatorily referred to as 'prawns'. They are housed in a camp named District 9 (hey, that's the name of the film!). After turning into a slum that is marred by violence and due to public pressure, an operation by a military contractor is put into place to relocate the entire populace to a new camp 240 km away. However before they are moved the man leading the operation, bureaucrat Wikus Van der Merwe, must go around the camp serving eviction notices.
Being Groomed By Peter Jackson Has Its Perks
This film really does have everything, without ever feeling scattered or losing cohesiveness. It begins as a sort of mock documentary with its protagonist acting eerily like Murray off Flight of the Conchords. And it's very funny, so much so that the exposition loses its clunkiness. It then turns to the dramatic, taking on an emotional, moving, role as we feel the torment of Sharlto Copley's Wikus as his life is quickly dismantled. It remains difficult throughout to see which direction the film is going and is a genuinely refreshing change from the usual blockbuster structure, where every 'turn' is visible miles ahead. Here you are able to surrender to the story and allow yourself to be completely caught up in the suspension of disbelief. It even subverts genre, transforming from an allegorical, dramatic story into a highly fuelled (literally) action film. Not only is this accepted with open arms, it's fantastic. It's easy to see why Peter Jackson his taken this wunderkind under his wing, it echoes of Jackson's first low budget horror gore films such as Braindead. By producing this it seems to be some form of vicarious, nostalgic turn.
What is most shocking however, is the lead's origin. This is, unbelievably, Sharlto Copley's first film. But wait, there's more. He isn't even an actor; he used to be Blomkamp's boss! And lastly, the most terrifying fact of all, he improvised all of his dialogue. So this is a beautifully, naturally acted action film which has real cultural context deeply rooted in South Africa's history (There was a 'whites only' District 6 in 1966, with 60,000 people forcibly relocated). So it has heart and soul. And the action scenes are brilliant. There is no reason on earth why this shouldn't be seen. Try and find one. Seriously.
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