District 9
Some filmmakers are like sheep; recycling ideas and releasing copies of the same movies time and again, so it’s always great to hear about ones who dare to challenge the blueprint just a little. Produced by Lord of the Rings supremo Peter Jackson, and directed by talented newcomer Neil Blomkamp, District 9 could be set to step away from the flock.
The film offers an original take on the classic premise of aliens on Earth: they came to our planet 28 years ago as refugees and were given asylum in South Africa in a camp named District 9. However, as public tension rose and the world’s nations argued over what to do with them, control of the aliens was contracted out to a privately owned company named the MNU (Multi-National United) who care more about the profit to be gained from the aliens’ weapons than their well-being.
The plot focuses on an MNU field-operative played by relative unknown Sharlto Copley, who contracts a virus which begins to alter his DNA. With the MNU obsessed with cracking the alien’s technology, Copley quickly becomes the worlds most wanted man, with his DNA worth millions he seeks refuge in District 9 as he is hunted by all parties. It’s an exciting concept which asks questions about how we deal with asylum seekers and the effects of Capitalism, and draws parallels to the shocking truths of South Africa’s own apartheid-era.
District 9’s marketing campaign seeks to integrate the audience into its own segregated world of “human” and “non-human. “
For example, at the 2008 San Diego Comic Conference a large group of people rallied against non-humans and declared certain areas human-only. Other marketing techniques have been tailored in this way. D-9.com, which is “run” by the MNU, gives the user a choice between a human or non-human website. Each site expresses the contrasting attitudes towards the groups. The human site gives safety and warning advice regarding aliens and even offers career opportunities.
In contrast the non-human website is far less homely. It’s written in alien language and warns non-humans to abide by the rules and pushes them to sign up for “labour”. Other websites include an official MNU page, an MNU training simulation and a resistance blog which campaigns for equality between humans and non-humans. Nothing has been spared to integrate the audience into the District 9 experience – it’s not simply a film - it’s a whole other world, constructed superbly.
District 9 has got people talking. It’s fresh, different and exciting. News of the film has spread through word of mouth, and making people talk is a sure-fire route to success.
Sadly however, District 9’s fictional reality isn’t a stretch from the truths of our own history. When a poster reads “This Bus for Humans Only” it cites memories of Rosa Parks, in a time when posters like this were a reality in our time’s own racial segregation. The film has the potential to pick and prod at humanity’s damning history, but are Jackson and Blomkamp brave enough to build on the marketing and make a comment? That’s what can make District 9 truly stand out from the flock.
Jared Lynn
District 9 is released August 14th
