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'{{Other uses}} {{Infobox film | name = District 9 | image = District nine ver2.jpg | caption = American theatrical release poster | alt = On dirty dusty ground a black and white target practice poster of a bipedal insect-like creature stands, riddled with bullet holes. Barbed wire runs behind the poster and a large circular spaceship hovers in the background. | director = [[Neill Blomkamp]] | producer = {{ubl|[[Peter Jackson]]|Carolynne Cunningham}} | writer = {{ubl|Neill Blomkamp|[[Terri Tatchell]]}} | starring = {{ubl|[[Sharlto Copley]]|[[Jason Cope]]|[[David James (South African actor)|David James]]}} | music = Clinton Shorter | cinematography = Trent Opaloch | editing = [[Julian Clarke]] | studio = {{ubl|[[WingNut Films]]|[[QED International]]|[[Key Creatives]]|[[Wintergreen Productions]]}} | distributor = [[TriStar Pictures]] | released = {{Film date|2009|8|13||2009|8|14|United States}} | runtime = 112 minutes<!-- U.S. theatrical release: 112:15 --> | country = {{ubl|{{FilmUS}}|{{Film New Zealand}}|{{Film Canada}}|{{Film South Africa}}}}<!-- Please do NOT remove South Africa from the country list. Country is aposed to where it was filmed NOT aposed to the cast or crew. --> | language = {{ubl|English|[[Chewa language|Nyanja]]|[[Afrikaans]]|[[Zulu language|Zulu]]|[[Xhosa language|Xhosa]]|[[Sotho language|Sotho]]}} | budget = $30 million<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/films/news/article.cfm?c_id=200&objectid=10585084 | title=Jackson's new sci-fi film a return to his origins |publisher=[[The New Zealand Herald]] | accessdate=2009-07-19}}</ref> | gross = $210,816,205<ref>[http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=district9.htm Box Office Mojo - District 9]</ref> }} '''''District 9''''' is a 2009 [[South Africa]]n [[science fiction film|science fiction]] [[Thriller (genre)|thriller]] film directed by [[Neill Blomkamp]]. It was written by Blomkamp and [[Terri Tatchell]], and produced by [[Peter Jackson]] and Carolynne Cunningham. The film stars [[Sharlto Copley]], [[Jason Cope]], and [[David James (South African actor)|David James]]. The film won the 2010 [[Saturn Award]] for Best International Film presented by the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films,<ref>{{IMDb title|1136608|section=awards}}</ref> and was nominated for four [[82nd Academy Awards|Academy Awards]] in 2010, including [[Academy Award for Best Picture|Best Picture]], [[Academy Award for Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay)|Best Adapted Screenplay]], [[Academy Award for Best Visual Effects|Best Visual Effects]], and [[Academy Award for Best Film Editing|Best Editing]].<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://carpetbagger.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/02/oscar-nominations/ | work=The New York Times | title=The 82nd Annual Oscar Nominations | date=2010-02-02 | accessdate=2010-05-01}}</ref> The story, adapted from ''[[Alive in Joburg]]'', a 2005 short film directed by Blomkamp and produced by Sharlto Copley and [[Simon Hansen]], pivots on the themes of [[xenophobia]] and [[social apartheid|social segregation]]. The title and premise of ''District 9'' were inspired by events that took place in [[District Six, Cape Town]] during the [[South Africa under apartheid|apartheid]] era. The film was produced for $30 million and shot on location in Chiawelo, [[Soweto]], presenting fictional interviews, news footage, and video from surveillance cameras in a part-[[mockumentary|mock documentary]] style format. A [[viral marketing]] campaign began in 2008, at the [[San Diego Comic-Con International|San Diego Comic-Con]], while the theatrical trailer appeared in July 2009. Released by [[TriStar Pictures]], the film opened to critical acclaim on August 14, 2009, in North America and earned $37 million in its opening weekend. Many saw the film as a [[sleeper hit]] for its relatively unknown cast and modest-budget production, while achieving success and popularity during its theatrical run. ==Plot== In March 1982, a large [[Extraterrestrial life|alien]] spacecraft comes to Earth and hovers motionless above [[Johannesburg]] in [[South Africa]]. After three months, a team enters the ship, discovering a large group of sick and malnourished extraterrestrials, who are then given food, shelter, and health-care on Earth. The aliens, derogatorily referred to by some locals as "[[prawn]]s", are confined to a government camp inside Johannesburg known as District 9. As time progresses following the settlement of the aliens onto Johannesburg, periodic unrest occurs between aliens and locals. In the first decade of the 21st century, <!-- see talk page, do not place "two" or "20 years" here -->the South African government hires Multinational United (MNU), a [[private military company]] under the direction of its [[CEO]], Dirk Michaels, to relocate the aliens to the new District 10. In August 2010, Wikus van de Merwe ([[Sharlto Copley]]), an [[Afrikaner]] [[bureaucrat]], is appointed by Piet Smit (Dirk Minnaar), an MNU executive and his father-in-law, to lead the relocation with the serving of illegal eviction notices. Meanwhile, three aliens (Christopher Johnson ([[Jason Cope]]), his son, and a friend), search for alien technology from which they distill a mysterious fluid, storing it in a small canister. Later, while raiding the shack of Christopher's friend, Wikus discovers and seizes the container, which sprays an unidentified substance onto his face. Christopher's friend is subsequently killed by Koobus Venter ([[David James (South African actor)|David James]]), a [[xenophobic]] soldier leading the operation. The mysterious fluid makes Wikus ill and begins to turn his DNA and body into those of a "prawn". MNU finds out and they force Wikus to test various alien weapons which only function when used by an alien; he succeeds at using them. The MNU scientists then decide to [[vivisect]] Wikus' organs because they are deemed to be worth billions for biotech research, but he overpowers his captors and escapes. Smit lies to the press, saying that Wikus is infected with an alien [[sexually transmitted disease|STD]] and is highly contagious. He also sends Venter and his men to capture him. Wikus finds refuge in District 9 and seeks help from Christopher, who reveals that the canister would allow him to reactivate the dormant mothership and reverse Wikus' mutation. He then reveals the lost command-module hidden under his shack, and agrees to help Wikus if he retrieves the canister from MNU. Wikus agrees and steals weapons from Nigerian arms-dealer Obesandjo and his gang. Wikus and Christopher break into the MNU offices and successfully retrieve the canister; they flee back to District 9, with MNU forces in pursuit. Outraged by illegal experiments he saw at the MNU headquarters, Christopher tells Wikus that he will need to seek help for the other aliens before curing him. Unfortunately, the trip to the alien planet and back will take three years. Enraged, Wikus attacks Christopher, then hijacks the command module. Soon after takeoff, the craft is shot down and crashes. Venter and his men arrest Wikus and Christopher, but Obesandjo's gang ambushes the MNU convoy, kills the guards, and after an intense firefight, Wikus is taken to Obesandjo, who believes that by eating Wikus' mutated alien hand he will gain the ability to use alien weaponry. Obesandjo's base is then surrounded and besieged by MNU and a firefight ensues. In the downed command module, Christopher's son activates the mothership and an alien [[powered armor|mechanized battle suit]] which, upon detecting a threat to Wikus, kills Obesandjo and his men before they can butcher Wikus. Wikus takes control of the battle suit and rescues Christopher, shielding Christopher as they run to the command module and killing many MNU men firing upon them. Wikus then aids Christopher's escape by staying behind and holding off the MNU troops in his ailing mechanized battle suit. Wikus kills all the troops except Venter, who cripples his suit and forces it to eject him. He is cornered by Venter, who tells him he plans to execute him to prevent further repercussions. However, a group of aliens surround Venter and tear him to pieces before eating what remains. Christopher promises to return in three years and leaves in the mothership with his son as Johannesburg's residents celebrate its departure. A series of interviews and news broadcasts are shown, with people theorizing about Wikus' whereabouts and whether Christopher would return with the intention to retaliate or reconcile. MNU's illegal experiments on the aliens are uncovered and exposed by Fundiswa Mhlanga, Wikus' former trainee, who is incarcerated and awaiting trial on a false charge of corporate espionage. District 9 is completely demolished, with all the aliens having been moved to the new larger District 10 several miles outside the city. Wikus' wife, Tania ([[Vanessa Haywood]]), reveals the finding of a metal flower on her doorstep, which gives her hope that her husband is still alive. The film ends with a shot of a fully transformed Wikus crafting a similar flower in a scrapyard.<ref>District 9 DVD audio narration (Audio Setup -> English Audio Descriptive Service)</ref> ==Cast== [[File:SharltoCopleyCCJuly09.jpg|thumb|right|Copley promoting the film at the [[San Diego Comic-Con International|San Diego Comic-Con]] in July 2009]] * [[Sharlto Copley]] as Wikus van de Merwe, an ostensibly mild-mannered manager at the MNU Department of Alien Affairs, whose blasé, even callous attitude to the aliens changes as he comes to see things from their point of view. This was the first time acting professionally in a [[feature film]] for Copley, a friend of director Blomkamp.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Swietek |first=Frank |title=Neill Blomkamp and Sharlto Copley on "District 9" |url=http://www.oneguysopinion.com/InterviewsResults.php?ID=451 |date=2009-08-07 |work=Interviews |publisher=One Guy's Opinion |accessdate=2009-09-11}}</ref> * [[Jason Cope]] as Christopher Johnson, an alien. Cope also performed the role of Grey Bradnam, the UKNR Chief Correspondent and all the speaking aliens.<ref name="5things">{{Cite web|url=http://io9.com/5341120/5-things-you-didnt-know-about-district-9|title=5 Things You Didn't Know About District 9|date=08-19-09|accessdate=2009-08-22|work=IO9}}</ref> * [[David James (South African actor)|David James]] as Colonel Koobus Venter, a [[private military company|PMC]] mercenary-soldier sent to capture Wikus. He is shown as sadistic and violent, taking great pleasure in killing the aliens and treating with violence anyone who opposes him. * [[Hassan Omar]] as Obesandjo, a paralyzed [[psychopathic]] Nigerian warlord who believes that eating alien bodyparts will give him the ability to operate their weapons. * Louis Minnaar as Piet Smit, a director at MNU, and Wikus' father-in-law. He is the one who creates the cover-up that turns Wikus into a fugitive, and tries to turn his daughter against Wikus by saying he had committed adultery by having sexual intercourse with the aliens. * Mandla Gaduka as Fundiswa Mhlanga, Wikus' assistant and trainee during the eviction. At the end of the film he is shown to be prosecuted for uncovering MNU's illegal activities. * Vanessa Haywood as Tania Smit van de Merwe, Wikus' wife. * Robert Hobbs as Ross Pienaar. * Kenneth Nkosi as Thomas, an MNU security guard. * [[Nathalie Boltt]] as Sarah Livingstone, a sociologist at [[Kempton Park, Gauteng|Kempton Park]] University. * [[Sylvaine Strike]] as Katrina McKenzie, a doctor from the Department of Social Assistance. * [[John Sumner (actor born 1951)|John Sumner]] as Les Feldman, a MIL engineer. * Nick Blake as Francois Moraneu, a member of the CIV Engineer Team. * [[Jed Brophy]] as James Hope, the ACU chief of police. * [[Vittorio Leonardi]] as Michael Bloemstein, from the MNU Dept. of Alien Civil Affairs. * Johan van Schoor as Nicolaas van de Merwe, Wikus' father. * Marian Hooman as Sandra van de Merwe, Wikus' mother. * Stella Steenkamp as Phyllis Sinderson, a co-worker of Wikus'. * Tim Gordon as Clive Henderson, an [[entomologist]] at WLG University. * Jonathan Taylor as the Doctor. * Nick Boraine as Lieutenant Weldon, Colonel Venter's right-hand man. ==Production== === Development === Producer [[Peter Jackson]] planned to produce a [[Halo (series)#Film|film adaptation]] based on the ''[[Halo (series)|Halo]]'' video game franchise with first-time director [[Neill Blomkamp]]. Due to a lack of financing, the ''Halo'' adaptation was placed on hold. Jackson and Blomkamp discussed pursuing alternative projects and eventually chose to produce and direct, respectively, ''District 9''. Blomkamp had previously directed commercials and short films, but ''District 9'' was his first [[feature film]]. The director co-wrote the script with Terri Tatchell and chose to film in South Africa, where he was born.<ref>{{Cite journal| last=Fleming | first=Michael | url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117975244.html?categoryid=1236&cs=1 | title=Peter Jackson gears up for 'District' | journal=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | date=November&nbsp;1, 2007 | accessdate=August&nbsp;30, 2009 }}</ref> In ''District 9'', Tatchell and Blomkamp returned to the world explored in his [[short film]] "[[Alive in Joburg]]", choosing characters, moments and concepts that they found interesting, and fleshing out these elements for the feature film.<ref name="talks" /> QED International fully financed the production of the independent film, underwriting the [[negative cost]] prior to [[American Film Market]] (AFM) 2007. At AFM 2007, QED entered into a distribution deal with [[Sony Pictures]] under [[TriStar Pictures]] for North America and other English-language territories, Korea, Italy, Russia and Portugal.<ref name="sonydistr">{{Cite journal| last=Frater | first=Patrick | url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117975365.html | title=Sony to release Jackson's 'District' | journal=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | date=November&nbsp;4, 2007 | accessdate=August&nbsp;30, 2009 }}</ref> ===Filming=== The film was shot on location in Chiawelo, [[Soweto]] during a time of violent unrest in [[Alexandra, Gauteng]] and other South African townships involving clashes between native South Africans and Africans born in other countries.<ref name="nyt0805">{{Cite news|first= Dave |last=Itzkoff |title=A Young Director Brings a Spaceship and a Metaphor in for a Landing |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/06/movies/06district.html |newspaper=The New York Times |publisher= |date=2009-08-05 |accessdate=31 August 2009}}</ref> The location that portrays District 9 in itself was in fact a real impoverished neighborhood from which people were being forcibly relocated to government-subsidised housing.<ref name="5things" /> Blomkamp said no one film influenced ''District 9'', but cited the 1980s "hardcore sci-fi/action" films such as ''[[Alien (film)|Alien]]'', ''[[Aliens (film)|Aliens]]'', ''[[The Terminator]]'', ''[[Terminator 2: Judgment Day]]'', ''[[Predator (film)|Predator]]'' and ''[[RoboCop]]'' as subconscious influences. The director said, "I don't know whether the film has that feeling or not for the audience, but I wanted it to have that harsh 1980s kind of vibe&nbsp;— I didn't want it to feel glossy and slick."<ref name="talks" /> Because of the amount of [[Hand-held camera|hand-held shooting]] required for the film, the producers and crew decided to shoot using the digital [[Red Digital Cinema Camera Company|Red One]] camera. Cinematographer Trent Opaloch used nine digital Red Ones owned by Peter Jackson for primary filming.<ref name="caranicas824">{{Cite news|last=Caranicas |first=Peter |coauthors= |title='District' lenser braces for invasion |url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118007288.html |date=2009-08-14 | work=International |publisher= ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]''|accessdate=7 September 2009}}</ref> "District 9 was shot on RED One cameras using build 15, Cooke S4 primes and Angenieux zooms. The documentary style and CCTV cam footage was shot on the Sony EX1/EX3 XDCAM-HD."<ref>[http://camerarentalz.com/district-9-shot-on-red/ ‘District 9′ Shot On RED]</ref> "The District 9 post production team were warned that the most RED footage they could handle a day was about an hour and a half. When that got to five hours a day reinforcements were called and 120 Terabytes of data was filled."<ref>[http://www.definitionmagazine.com/journal/2009/11/1/attack-of-the-terabytes.html Attack Of The Terabytes]</ref> ===Visual effects=== The aliens in ''District 9'' were designed by [[Weta Workshop]], and the design was executed by [[Image Engine]]. Blomkamp established criteria for the design of the aliens. He wanted the species to be insect-like but also bipedal. The director wanted the audience to relate to the aliens and said of the restriction on the creature design, "Unfortunately, they had to be human-esque because our psychology doesn't allow us to really empathize with something unless it has a face and an anthropomorphic shape. Like if you see something that's four-legged, you think it's a dog; that's just how we're wired... If you make a film about an alien force, which is the oppressor or aggressor, and you don't want to empathize with them, you can go to town. So creatively that's what I wanted to do but story-wise, I just couldn't."<ref name="variety" /> Blomkamp originally sought to have [[Weta Digital]] design the creatures, but the company was busy with effects for ''[[Avatar (2009 film)|Avatar]]''. The director then decided to choose a Vancouver-based effects company because he anticipated to make films there in the future and because [[British Columbia]] offered a tax credit. Blomkamp met with Image Engine and considered them "a bit of a gamble" since the company had not pursued a project as large as a feature film.<ref name="talks">{{Cite news| last=Desowitz | first=Bill | url=http://www.vfxworld.com/?atype=articles&id=4032 | title=Neill Blomkamp Talks ''District 9'' | work=VFXWorld | publisher=AWN, Inc. | date=August&nbsp;14, 2009 | accessdate=August&nbsp;31, 2009 }}</ref> Aside from the aliens appearing on the operating table in the medical lab, all of them were created using [[Computer-generated imagery|CGI]] visual effects.<ref>[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1136608/trivia IMDB Trivia], IMDb,</ref> Weta Digital designed the mothership and the drop ship, while the exo-suit and the little pets were designed by [[The Embassy Visual Effects]]. [[Zoic Studios]] performed overflow 2D work.<ref name="talks" /> On-set live special effects were created by MXFX.<ref>[http://www.mxfx.co.za/features.html MXFX Physical Special Effects]</ref> ===Themes=== Like ''Alive in Joburg'', the short film on which the feature film is based, the setting of ''District 9'' is inspired by historical events that took place in South Africa during the [[South Africa under apartheid|apartheid]] era, with the film's title particularly alluding to [[District Six, Cape Town|District Six]]. District Six, an inner-city residential area in [[Cape Town]], was declared a "whites only" area by the government in 1966, with 60,000 people [[South Africa under apartheid#Forced removal|forcibly removed]] and relocated to [[Cape Flats]], 25&nbsp;km (15&nbsp;mi) away.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Corliss |first=Richard |url=http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1916009,00.html |title='District 9' Review: The Summer's Coolest Fantasy Film |publisher=''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' |date=2009-08-13 |accessdate=2009-08-25}}</ref> The film also refers to contemporary evictions and forced removals to new suburban ghettos in post-apartheid South Africa as well as the resistance of its residents.<ref name="The real 'District 9' - South Africa's shack dwellers">{{Cite web|url= http://www.guardianweekly.co.uk/?page=editorial&id=1237&catID=9 |title=The real 'District 9'&nbsp;– South Africa's shack dwellers |publisher=''[[Guardian Weekly]]'' |date=August 28, 2009}}</ref><ref name="dewaal">{{Cite web|last=de Waal |first=Shaun |work=Film |url= http://www.mg.co.za/article/2009-08-28-loving-the-aliens |title=Loving the Aliens |publisher=''[[Mail & Guardian]]'' |date=August 28, 2009}}</ref> This includes the high profile attempted forced removal of the [[Joe Slovo informal settlement]] in Cape Town to [[N2 Gateway#Temporary Relocation Areas in Delft|temporary relocation areas]] in [[Delft, Cape Town|Delft]], plus the attempted evictions of [[Abahlali baseMjondolo]] and evictions in the shack settlement, Chiawelo, where the film was actually shot.<ref name="5things" /> [[Blikkiesdorp]], a temporary relocation area in Cape Town, has also been compared with the District 9 camp earning a front page spread in the Daily Voice.<ref>Blikkiesdoprp housingdisaster has become Cape Flats' own...District 9 in the Daily Voice, South Africa, 3 October 2009</ref><ref name="UN affiliated NGO asks the City to reconsider Symphony Way’s eviction to Blikkiesdorp which will be decided in Court on Wednesday">{{Cite web|url= http://antieviction.org.za/2009/10/05/un-affiliated-ngo-asks-the-city-to-reconsider-symphony-ways-eviction-to-blikkiesdorp-which-will-be-decided-in-court-on-wednesday/|title=UN affiliated NGO asks the City to reconsider Symphony Way’s eviction to [[Blikkiesdorp]] which will be decided in Court on Wednesday|publisher=''[[Anti-Eviction Campaign]]'' |date=October 5, 2009}}</ref> The film makes a statement about inhumanity in the irony of Wikus becoming more humane as he becomes less human.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://movies.msn.com/oscars/geek-oscars/?icid=MOVIES1&GT1=MOVIES1&mpc=2|title=If Geeks Ran the Oscars|date=|accessdate=2010-02-16|work=MSN Movies}}</ref> Throughout the movie, he becomes more aware of the aliens' plight, eventually helping them escape the planet, even turning on his own species to do so. Chris Mikesell from the Hawaii newspaper, Ka Leo, notes that inhumanity is a deep-rooted theme throughout. He writes: "Substitute 'black,' 'Asian,' 'Mexican,' 'illegal,' 'Jew,' or any number of different labels for the word 'prawn' in this film and you will hear the hidden truth behind the dialogue". Alien eggs are destroyed before hatching and described as popcorn. He feels that District 9 shows the corruption humans are capable of. M.N.U., the corporation in charge of protecting the aliens, are actually taking away captured aliens and using them as experiments in order to be able to use their weapons.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.knphotographics.com/wp-kaleo/2009/08/26/features/district-9-reveals-human-inhumanity.html|title=‘District 9′ reveals human inhumanity|last=Mikesell|first=Chris|date=August 26, 2009|publisher=Ka Leo|accessdate=6 September 2010}}</ref> Themes of [[racism]] and [[xenophobia]] are put forward by the movie in the form of [[speciesism]] applied to the aliens. The use of the word "prawn" to describe the aliens is a reference to the [[Parktown prawn]], a [[king cricket]] species considered a pest in South Africa.<ref name="radiointerview">{{Cite web|url=http://www.highveld.co.za/thelounge/gallery/event.asp?id=565 |title=Interview with Neill Blomkamp on the Highveld Stereo 94.7 radio station|date=August 19, 2009}}</ref> Copley has said that the theme is not intended to be the main focus of the work, but rather that it can work at a subconscious level even if it is not noticed.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.wired.com/underwire/2009/08/xenophobia-racism-drive-alien-relocation-in-district-9/|title=Xenophobia, Racism Drive Alien Relocation in District 9|date=2009-08-12|accessdate=2009-08-30|work=Wired}}</ref> Duane Dudek from the Journal Sentinel wrote that "The result is an action film about xenophobia, in which all races of humans are united in their dislike and mistrust of an insect-like species".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.jsonline.com/entertainment/movies/53074407.html|title='District 9' social theme isn't so alien - JSOnline|last=Dudek|first=Duane|date=August 13, 2009|work=[[Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]]|publisher=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|accessdate=6 September 2010}}</ref> An underlying theme in ''District 9'' is state reliance on multinational corporations as a government funded enforcement arm. As MNU represents the type of corporation which partners with governments, the negative portrayal of MNU in the film can be seen as a statement about the dangers of governments, particularly in their outsourcing of militaries and bureaucracies to private contractors.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sacsis.org.za/site/article/352.1|title=Hold the Prawns|work=SACSIS}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sacsis.org.za/site/article/343.1|title=District 9, Ugly Marvel|work=SACSIS}}</ref> ===Music=== The music for ''District 9'' was scored by Canadian composer Clinton Shorter, who spent three weeks preparing for the film. Director Neill Blomkamp wanted a "raw and dark" score, but one that maintained its South African roots. This was a challenge for Shorter, who found much of the South African music he worked with to be optimistic and joyful. Unable to get the African drums to sound dark and heavy, Shorter used a combination of [[taiko]] drums and synthesized instruments for the desired effects, with the core African elements of the score conveyed in the vocals and smaller percussion.<ref name="">{{Cite web|last=Hoover |first=Tom |title=Interviews: Clinton Shorter&nbsp;– The Music of District 9 |url=http://scorenotes.com/interviews.html |year=2009 | publisher=Score Notes |accessdate=8 September 2009}}</ref> Both the score and soundtrack feature music and vocals from [[Kwaito]] artists. ==Marketing== Sony Pictures launched a "Humans Only" marketing campaign to promote ''District 9''. Sony's marketing team designed its promotional material to emulate the segregational [[billboard]]s that appear throughout the film.<ref name="variety">{{Cite journal| last=Oldham | first=Stuart | url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118007279.html?categoryid=13&cs=1&nid=2564 | title=Interview: Neill Blomkamp | journal=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | date=August&nbsp;14, 2009 | accessdate=August&nbsp;31, 2009 }}</ref> Billboards, banners, posters, and stickers were thus designed with the theme in mind, and the material was spread across public places such as bus stops in various cities, including "humans only" signs in certain locations and providing toll-free numbers to report "non-human" activity.<ref name="humans" /><ref>{{Cite news| last=Billington | first=Alex | url=http://www.firstshowing.net/2009/08/14/for-humans-only-a-look-back-at-district-9s-success-story/ | title=For Humans Only: A Look Back at District 9's Success Story | work=FirstShowing.net | publisher=First Showing, LLC | date=August&nbsp;14, 2009 | accessdate=August&nbsp;31, 2009 }}</ref> Promotional material was also presented at the 2008 [[San Diego Comic-Con International|San Diego Comic-Con]], advertising the website D-9.com,<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://d-9.com/ | title=D-9.com | publisher=Sony Pictures | accessdate=September&nbsp;7, 2009 }}</ref> which had an application presented by the fictional Multi-National United (MNU). The website had a local alert system for Johannesburg (the film's setting), [[news feed]]s, behavior recommendations, and rules and regulations. Other viral websites for the film were also launched, including an MNU website with a countdown timer for the film's release,<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.multinationalunited.com/ | title=Multi-National United | publisher=Sony Pictures | accessdate=September&nbsp;7, 2009 }}</ref> an anti-MNU blog run by fictional alien character Christopher Johnson,<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.mnuspreadslies.com/ | title=MNU Spreads Lies | publisher=Sony Pictures | accessdate=September&nbsp;7, 2009 }}</ref> and an MNU-sponsored educational website.<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://mathsfromouterspace.com/ | title=Maths from Outer Space: An MNU Sponsored Initiative | publisher=Sony Pictures | accessdate=September&nbsp;7, 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news| last=Billington | first=Alex | url=http://www.firstshowing.net/2008/07/30/next-big-viral-neill-blomkamps-district-9-for-humans-only/ | title=Next Big Viral: Neill Blomkamp's District 9&nbsp;– For Humans Only | work=FirstShowing.net | publisher=First Showing, LLC | date=July&nbsp;30, 2008 | accessdate=August&nbsp;31, 2009 }}</ref> An online game for District 9 has also been made where players can choose to be a human or an alien. Humans are MNU agents on patrol trying to arrest or kill aliens. Aliens try to avoid capture from MNU agents whilst searching for alien canisters.<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=56856 | title=New District 9 Online Game, Tralier Coming!| publisher=comingsoon.net| accessdate=July 3, 2009}}</ref> ==Reception== === Box office === {{As of|2009|11|4|df=US}}, ''District 9'' has grossed an estimated $210,816,205, of which $115,646,235 was from Canada and the United States <ref>[http://www.boxofficeguru.com/intl.htm Box Office Guru - Worldwide Box Office Grosses]</ref> making it a huge box office success, with a revenue 7 times its original production budget of only $30 million. It opened in 3,048&nbsp;theaters in Canada and the United States on August&nbsp;14, 2009, and the film ranked first at the weekend box office with an opening gross of $37,354,308. Among comparable science fiction films in the past, its opening attendance was slightly less than the 2008 film ''[[Cloverfield]]'' and the 1997 film ''[[Starship Troopers (film)|Starship Troopers]]''. The audience demographic for ''District 9'' was 64 percent male and 57 percent people 25 years or older.<ref name="humans">{{Cite web| url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=2610&p=.htm | title=Weekend Report: Humans Welcome ''District 9'' | last=Gray | first=Brandon | date=August&nbsp;16, 2009 | work=[[Box Office Mojo]] | accessdate=August&nbsp;17, 2009 }}</ref> The film stood out as a summer film that generated strong business despite little-known casting.<ref>{{Cite journal| last=McClintock | first=Pamela | url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118007321.html?categoryid=1082&cs=1 | title='District 9' invades top of box office | journal=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | date=August&nbsp;16, 2009 | accessdate=August&nbsp;30, 2009 }}</ref> Its opening success was attributed to the studio's unusual marketing campaign. In the film's second weekend, it dropped 49% in revenue while competing against the opening film ''[[Inglourious Basterds]]'' for the male audience, as Sony Pictures attributed the "good hold" to ''District 9''{{'}}s strong playability.<ref>{{Cite journal| last=McClintock | first=Pamela | url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118007604.html?categoryid=1082&cs=1 | title=Tarantino's 'Basterds' storms box office | journal=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | date=August&nbsp;23, 2009 | accessdate=August&nbsp;30, 2009 }}</ref> The film enjoyed similar success in the UK with an opening gross of £2,288,378 showing at 447 cinemas.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/news_digest/Locarno_Film_Festival_presents_leaner_bill.html?cid=995986 |title='District 9' claims UK box office No.1 |work=digitalspy.com |author=Fletcher, Alex |date=September 9, 2009 |accessdate=2010-12-01}}</ref> ===Critics=== The film has received very positive reviews and universal acclaim, with [[Rotten Tomatoes]] reporting that 91% of critics gave the film a positive review, based on a sample of 244, with an [[weighted mean|average]] score of 7.8 out of 10. The website wrote of the consensus, "Technically brilliant and emotionally wrenching, ''District 9'' has action, imagination, and all the elements of a thoroughly entertaining science-fiction classic."<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/district_9/ | title=District 9 (2009) | work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] | accessdate=August&nbsp;25, 2009 }}</ref> At [[Metacritic]], which assigns a [[Standard score|normalized]] rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the film has received a score of 81 based on 36 reviews, indicating "Universal Acclaim".<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.metacritic.com/film/titles/district9/ | title=District 9 | work=[[Metacritic]] | accessdate=October&nbsp;25, 2009 }}</ref> On [[Spill.com]] it received their highest rating of 'Better Than Sex!'. IGN listed ''District 9'' as 24 on a list of the 25 Great Sci-Fi films ever.<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://movies.ign.com/articles/677/677739p1.html | title=District 9 | work=[[IGN]] | accessdate=September&nbsp;17, 2010}}</ref> Sara Vilkomerson of ''[[The New York Observer]]'' wrote, "''District 9'' is the most exciting science fiction movie to come along in ages; definitely the most thrilling film of the summer; and quite possibly the best film I've seen all year."<ref name="observer">{{Cite web|url=http://www.observer.com/2009/movies/district-9-blew-my-mind |title=District 9 Blew My Mind! |author=Sara Vilkomerson |accessdate=2009-08-12}}</ref> [[Christy Lemire]] from the [[Associated Press]] was impressed by the plot and thematic content, claiming that "''District 9'' has the aesthetic trappings of science fiction but it's really more of a character drama, an examination of how a man responds when he's forced to confront his identity during extraordinary circumstances."<ref name="AP Review">{{Cite news|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/08/12/entertainment/e082032D23.DTL |title=Review: Dramatic twists in store in 'District 9' |author=Christy Lemire |accessdate=2009-08-12 | work=The San Francisco Chronicle}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''{{'}}s Lisa Schwarzbaum described it as "... madly original, cheekily political, [and] altogether exciting ..."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20297361,00.html |title=Movie Review: District 9 |author=Lisa Schwarzbaum |accessdate=2009-08-12}}</ref> [[Roger Ebert]] praised the film for "giving us aliens to remind us not everyone who comes in a spaceship need be angelic, octopod or stainless steel," but complains that "... the third act is disappointing, involving standard shoot-out action. No attempt is made to resolve the situation, and if that's a happy ending, I've seen happier. Despite its creativity, the film remains [[space opera]] and avoids the higher realms of science-fiction."<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090812/REVIEWS/908129987 |title=Throw another prawn on the barbie |author=Roger Ebert |accessdate=2009-08-12 | work=Chicago Sun-Times}}</ref> ''[[New York Press]]'' critic [[Armond White]] lambasted the film for its outlandish premise and perceived racial insensitivity toward its [[apartheid]] allegories. He asserts that "Blomkamp and Jackson want it every which way: The actuality-video threat of ''[[The Blair Witch Project]]'', unstoppable violence like ''[[Independence Day (film)|ID4]]'' plus Spielberg's otherworldly benevolence: factitiousness, killing and cosmic agape. This is how cinema gets turned into trash."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nypress.com/article-20206-from-mothership-to-bullship.html |title=From Mothership to Bullship |author=Armond White |accessdate=2009-08-12}}</ref> The review was initially defended by Roger Ebert, but soon after Ebert referred to White as a [[Troll (Internet)|troll]]<ref>[http://blogs.suntimes.com/ebert/2009/08/in_defense_of_armond_white.html Roger Ebert's blog in the Chicago Sun-Times]</ref> though White countered that Ebert was in fact the troll, claiming Ebert was pressured by his employers to retract his support. Josh Tyler of [[Cinema Blend]] says the film is unique in interpretation and execution, but considers it to be a knockoff of the 1988 film ''[[Alien Nation (film)|Alien Nation]]''.<ref>[http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Too-Close-To-Call-10-Ways-District-9-Is-An-Alien-Nation-Knockoff-14310.html Too Close to Call], review by Josh Tyler, [[Cinema Blend]], August 10, 2009</ref> ===Controversy=== {|class="toccolours" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 2em; font-size: 85%; background:#c6dbf7; color:black; width:25em; max-width: 25%;" cellspacing="5" |style="text-align: left;"|"The idea that it's not only Nigerians, but all Africans who behave in that way, will be spread across the world. I find that to be a painful thought. The manner in which the Nigerians are depicted cannot be justified." |- |style="text-align: left;"|—Hakeem Kae-Kazim<ref name=xenophobiaafrica>{{Cite news|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2009/sep/02/district-9-labelled-xenophobic-nigerians|title=District 9 labelled xenophobic by Nigerians|last=Smith|first=David|date=September 2, 2009|work=[[The Guardian]]|accessdate=6 September 2010 | location=London}}</ref> |} Many [[Nigerian]]s, both in the country and abroad, were deeply offended by the film. Nigeria's Information Minister [[Dora Akunyili]] asked movie theatres around the country to either ban the film or edit out specific references to the country, because of the film's negative depiction of the Nigerian characters as criminals and cannibals. Letters of complaint were sent to the producer and distributor of the film demanding an apology. She also said the gang leader Obesandjo is almost identical in spelling and pronunciation to the surname of former president [[Olusegun Obasanjo]].<ref>{{Cite web | author = Bashir Adigun | title = Nigerian officials: 'District 9' not welcome here | url = http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AF_NIGERIA_DISTRICT_9?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT | work = News from The Associated Press | publisher = [[Associated Press]] | date = September 19, 2009 | accessdate = September 24, 2009 }} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> The film was later banned in Nigeria; the Nigerian Film and Video Censors Board was asked to prevent cinemas from showing the film and also to confiscate it.<ref>{{Cite web| title = Govt bans showing of District 9 film in Nigeria | url= http://www.vanguardngr.com/2009/09/25/govt-bans-showing-of-district-9-film-in-nigeria/ | publisher=Vanguard |date=September 25, 2009 | accessdate=September 25, 2009}}</ref> Many Nigerians also accused ''District 9'' of being xenophobic. Online petitions and Facebook groups called "District 9 Hates Nigerians" were started. [[Hakeem Kae-Kazim]], a British born Nigerian actor also criticized the portrayal of Nigerians in the film, telling the Beeld newspaper Africa is a beautiful place and the problems it does have can not be shown by such a small group of people.<ref name=xenophobiaafrica/> ===Accolades=== {{Main|List of accolades received by District 9}} ''District 9'' was named one of the top 10 independent films of 2009 by the [[National Board of Review of Motion Pictures]]. The film received four [[Academy Awards]] nominations, seven [[British Academy Film Awards]] nominations, five [[Broadcast Film Critics Association]] nominations, and one [[Golden Globe]] nomination. It is the fourth film ever nominated for Best Picture at the [[Academy Awards]] for [[TriStar Pictures]] behind ''[[As Good as It Gets]]'', ''[[Jerry Maguire]]'' and ''[[Bugsy]]''. It won the 2009 [[Bradbury Award]] from the [[Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America]].<ref name="sfaw100515">{{Cite news|first=Kevin |last=Standlee |publisher=Science Fiction Awards Watch |title=Nebula Awards Results |url=http://www.sfawardswatch.com/?p=3274 |date=May 15, 2010 |accessdate=May 15, 2010}}</ref> ==Home media== The [[Blu-ray Disc]] and [[DVD region code|Region 1 Code]] [[widescreen]] edition of ''District 9'' as well as the 2-disc special edition version on [[DVD-Video|DVD]] was released on December 22, 2009.<ref>[http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002SJIO4A Amazon.com]</ref> The DVD and Blu-ray Disc includes the documentary "The Alien Agenda: A Filmmaker's Log" and the special features "Metamorphosis: The Transformation of Wikus", "Innovation: Acting and Improvisation", "Conception and Design: Creating the World of District 9", and "Alien Generation: Visual Effects".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/34090/district-9-blu-ray-and-dvd-art-hovers-over-us|title=District 9 Blu-ray and DVD Art Hovers Over Us|publisher=DreadCentral}}</ref> The demo for the video game ''[[God of War III]]'' featured in the [[Electronic Entertainment Expo 2009|2009 Electronic Entertainment Expo]] is also included with the Blu-ray release of ''District 9'' playable on the [[PlayStation 3|Sony PlayStation 3]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://blog.us.playstation.com/2009/10/district-9-forged-together-with-god-of-war-iii/|title=District 9 Forged Together With God of War III|last=Caiazzo|first=Anthony|date=2009-10-28|publisher=[[Sony Computer Entertainment]]|accessdate=2009-10-28}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/34281/district-9-blu-ray-include-god-war-iii-demo|title=District 9 Blu-ray to Include God of War III Demo|author=Uncle Creepy|date=2009-10-30|accessdate=2009-10-30}}</ref> ==Merchandise== WETA released (in July 2010) Christopher Johnson and Son as sculptures.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/38455/wetas-first-district-9-figure-revealed-christopher-johnson-and-son|title=Weta's First District 9 Figure Revealed: Christopher Johnson and Son|author=Debi Moore|date=2010-07-10|accessdate=2010-07-10}}</ref> ==Sequel== On August 1, 2009, two weeks before ''District 9'' was released to cinemas, Neill Blomkamp hinted that he intended to make a sequel if the film was successful enough. During an interview on the "Rude Awakening" [[94.7 Highveld Stereo]] breakfast radio show, he alluded to it, saying "There probably will be." Nevertheless, he revealed that his next project is unrelated to the ''District 9'' universe.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://scifiwire.com/2009/07/district-9-director-alrea.php|title=District 9 director already thinking about a sequel|date=2009-07-31|accessdate=2009-08-29|work=SCI FI Wire}}</ref> In an interview with [[Rotten Tomatoes]], Blomkamp stated that he was "totally" hoping for a follow-up: "I haven't thought of a story yet but if people want to see another one, I'd love to do it."<ref>Mueller, Matt. [http://uk.rottentomatoes.com/m/district_9/news/1842105/neill_blomkamp_talks_district_9_rt_interview "Neill Blomkamp Talks ''District 9''&nbsp;— RT Interview"], ''Rotten Tomatoes'', 3 September 2009.</ref> Blomkamp has posed the possibility of the next movie in the series being a [[prequel]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.empireonline.com/news/feed.asp?NID=26657|title=Will The Next District 9 Be A Prequel?|date=2010-01-10|accessdate=2010-01-14|work=Empire Online}}</ref> In an interview with ''Empire'' magazine posted on April 28, 2010, Sharlto Copley suggested that a follow-up, while very likely, would be about two years away, given his and Neill Blomkamp's current commitments.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=27715|title=Sharlto Copley On The District 9 Sequel|date=2010-04-28|accessdate=2010-04-28|work=Empire Online}}</ref> ==References== {{Reflist|colwidth=30em}} ==External links== * {{Official website|http://www.district9movie.com}} * {{Allmovie title|423766|District 9}} * {{IMDb title|1136608|District 9}} * {{Rotten-tomatoes|district_9|District 9}} * {{metacritic film|district-9|District 9}} * {{mojo title|district9|District 9}} {{Peter Jackson}} [[Category:2000s science fiction films]] [[Category:2000s thriller films]] [[Category:2009 films]] [[Category:Afrikaans-language films]] [[Category:Alien visitation films]] [[Category:Alternate history films]] [[Category:American science fiction films]] [[Category:Apartheid films]] [[Category:Directorial debut films]] [[Category:English-language films]] [[Category:Features based on short films]] [[Category:Fictional-language films]] [[Category:Films set in 1982]] [[Category:Films set in 2010]] [[Category:Films shot digitally]] [[Category:Films shot in South Africa]] [[Category:New Zealand films]] [[Category:American films]] [[Category:TriStar Pictures films]] [[Category:WingNut Films productions]] [[Category:Xhosa-language films]] [[Category:Films set in South Africa]] [[bg:Сектор 9]] [[ca:District 9]] [[cs:District 9]] [[de:District 9]] [[es:District 9]] [[fa:منطقه ۹]] [[fr:District 9]] [[gl:District 9]] [[hy:9-րդ շրջան]] [[id:District 9]] [[it:District 9]] [[he:מחוז 9]] [[ka:რაიონი 9]] [[la:District 9 (pellicula)]] [[lt:9-asis rajonas (filmas)]] [[li:District 9]] [[hu:District 9]] [[nl:District 9]] [[ja:第9地区]] [[no:District 9]] [[pl:Dystrykt 9]] [[pt:Distrito 9]] [[ru:Район № 9]] [[simple:District 9]] [[sk:District 9]] [[sl:Okrožje 9]] [[sr:Дистрикт 9]] [[fi:District 9]] [[sv:District 9]] [[th:ยึดแผ่นดิน เปลี่ยนพันธุ์มนุษย์]] [[tr:Yasak Bölge 9]] [[uk:Дев'ятий округ]] [[vi:Khu vực 9]] [[zh:第九区]]'