Movie Primer: Disctrict 9

This is a short primer for the chilling science fiction film District 9. This film will have its wide release on July 14th 2009. The trailer for this film can be found at http://www.apple.com/trailers/sony_pictures/district9/

The Plot: The film is shot as a documentary that takes place in South Africa. At first it feels like a movie about immigration and in a way it is. Except that instead of the unwanted immigrants being refuges from some war torn nation they are aliens from another planet. The aliens are forced into their own part of town. In District 9 the aliens are allowed to work for a corporation who is developing products based on their alien technology. Panic and anger starts to spread through the city once the aliens are sighted pass District 9's walls.

Star Power: There is no star power for this movie. The only name involved in this film that you will recognize is the guy who is producing it and presenting it to wider audiences. That would be the famous kiwi director Peter Jackson. To keep with the authentic feel of the movie there are no big names in front of the screen.

Behind the Screen: The film is directed by Neil Blomkamp and it is his first feature film. Blomkamp made a short film called Alive in Joburg for which this movie is based. He made a name for himself with a series of short films set in the Halo game world called Landfall. In fact for a while he was rumored to be attached to direct the Halo movie back when it looked like that action adaptation was coming out any time soon. That might be where he met Peter Jackson whom was also attached to the Halo project for a while. Neil has also directed some memorable commercials for Nike.

What to expect: I have to admit I am excited about this film. The documentary feel of the movie makes the subject matter that much more startling and real. The few shots in the preview of the aliens and their flying city are very moving. Also like all the best science fiction the movie seems to have a lot to say about current issues like race and immigration. I am sure a lot of people have not even heard of this movie but it might be worth taking a chance on. Peter Jackson knows movies, and if he is behind this project there must be something worth watching.

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www.apple.com/trailers