Thursday , March 28 2024

District 9

District 9 is a 2009 science fiction film from Sony Pictures. The film was produced by Peter Jackson (Lord Of The Rings) and directed by Neill Blomkamp.

Based on Blomkamp's short film Alive In Joburg, the film follows aliens landing in South Africa, and subsequently being quarantined in a location known as District 9. The aliens, who by this time have become something more like refugees, are watched over by a corporate-like entity called MNU (for Multi-National United), who stand to make a financial killing if they can develop the alien technology.

Because of the film's political overtones (in addition to the South African locale, there are striking resemblances between the treatment of "non-human" aliens, and that of "non-whites" during the era of apartheid), District 9 has drawn attention from sci-fi fans and political observers alike.

On the official District 9 website, you can register as a human or non-human, apply for employment in MNU's non-human relations division, as well as watch anti-alien propaganda like MNU's safety alerts. The film's viral marketing campaign has also spawned such websites as the "opposition" blog MNU Spreads Lies.

You'll find bloggers talking about District 9 at sites like D-9 News.

About Glen Boyd

Glen Boyd is the author of Neil Young FAQ, released in May 2012 by Backbeat Books/Hal Leonard Publishing. He is a former BC Music Editor and current contributor, whose work has also appeared in SPIN, Ultimate Classic Rock, The Rocket, The Source and other publications. You can read more of Glen's work at the official Neil Young FAQ site. Follow Glen on Twitter and on Facebook.

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