THE MOVIE PAGES presents SHARLTO COPLEY in DISTRICT 9 district9.htm

What Do The Critics Say?

"What keeps the film anchored in reality most is Copley who, also in his first feature, turns in a performance that is both riveting and moving. This might go down as the year that science-fiction cinema, despite the deafening crash and clangor of sparring robots, began to rediscover its brains, heart and soul. Blomkamp has created a unique universe that, like the best science fiction, takes us to a world we've never seen while reflecting a world we all know too well."
DALLAS MORNING NEWS
"About the only way District 9 - a bloody marvelous action movie that's part science-fiction allegory and part unabashed mayhem - could get more in your face is if it was shot in 3D."
Sean Means SALT LAKE TRIBUNE
"District 9 is the real deal. Hallelujah."
Walter Chaw FILM FREAK CENTRAL
"A memorable, monstrous fable that's consistently gripping."
Joe Neumaier NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
"Somewhere between very good and awesome, but no use nitpicking."
METROMIX
"An engaging sci-fi parable rooted in both universal themes and a specific setting that often takes you by surprise with both its smarts and intensity."
Garth Franklin DARK HORIZONS
"With its clever faux documentary style, this is the most imaginative science-fiction movie to come along in years. The exhilarating story also features one of the most multifaceted lead characters in a genre film, played with depth and nuance by Sharlto Copley. District 9 proves that sci-fi thrillers don't have to be star-studded or mega-budgeted to be visually compelling and thoroughly entertaining. Heart-pumping, alien-laden 'District 9' is sci-fi at its finest."
Claudia Puig USA TODAY

"It’s always exhilarating seeing something refreshingly new on screen, and even though we’ve seen horror before, and aliens before, and the dirty deeds of capitalism before, it’s never been quite like this. The special effects, wouldn’t you suspect it?, are state of the art, the aliens so believable despite their odd appearance. It’s sharp this film, it comments on racism, on immigration, capitalism, greed, power and it’s bloody, relentless and daring. It’s been excellently scripted by Blomkamp and longtime writing partner Terri Tatchell. 4 1/2 stars."
Margaret Pomeranz ABC AT THE MOVIES
"Neill Blomkamp's career-making debut film District 9 mixes alien contact with apartheid politics, deftly creating one of the best sci-fi films in recent memory."
Jonathon Valenzuela TIMEOUT SYDNEY
"A uniquely moving, heartfelt and provocative drama that stays with you after you've left the theatre."
Wilson Morales BLACKFILM
"You've seen alien invasion flicks before, and you've seen more than your share of summer blockbusters. But you've never seen anything quite like District 9."
Adam Graham DETROIT NEWS
"A wonderfully-entertaining suspense thriller that reinvents and recharges the alien invasion genre."
EDGE BOSTON
"This is vibrant, original and marks the arrival of a talent to watch."
Jason Di Rosso MOVIE TIME
"Believe the hype. As a sci-fi thrill ride, and a provocative commentary on xenophobia, District 9 is definitely all that it's cracked up to be. The sensitivity and thoughtfulness found in District 9 sets it apart from any other alien movie in which the creatures are dead ugly, and the action intense. You root for these shrimp heads all the way."
Kit Bowen THE MOVIE KIT

The Inside Story "Neill Blomkamp is a terrifically exciting young director," says three time 2004 Oscar ® winner Peter Jackson ("The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King"), who not only produced "District 9", but also shepherds Blomkamp’s debut feature film. "We were considering a production of Halo, based on the video game. That movie never happened, but we loved working with Neill so much that when he pitched us "District 9", we decided it would be fun to turn his idea into a feature film." In "District 9", Blomkamp deftly creates a film with an original vision and unique method of telling its story. After cutting his teeth as a visual effects artist and director of music videos and commercials, Blomkamp makes his feature film directorial and screen writing debut, drawing inspiration from classic science fiction films as well as the Johannesburg of his youth (Blomkamp was born and raised there before relocating to Canada where he would later graduate from the Vancouver Film School's 3D Animation and Visual Effects program in 1998.). The result is a film that breaks ground with a new, thrilling voice. From the very beginning, Blomkamp says he intended "District 9" to be unconventional and to blur the lines between filmmaking styles. "Essentially, the film bounces from our story, which is obviously fictional, to a sort of ultra real mode," he says. Dramatic scenes, mockumentary footage, real news video obtained from the South African Broadcasting Corporation: "it’s all part of the same story. The movie fluctuates between something that feels like a film and something that feels bizarrely real." "District 9 is set in an alternate history," says Jackson ("Meet the Feebles" & "King Kong"). "Imagine over twenty years ago, over a million alien refugees arrived on earth in a derelict spaceship. They are benign: more than that, they are helpless. They can’t even feed themselves and have no particular desire to do anything. They come to Johannesburg, of all places, and the government doesn’t know what to do with them, so the aliens end up in a township very similar to Soweto. And for over twenty years, humans have been trying to solve the alien problem." Blomkamp says the film mimics the twenty four hour news feed that cable channels, the internet, and other news sources feed us every day. "It used to be that you would pick up a single newspaper story. Now, the imagery is always there and we have become used to it." He also points out that the advent of reality television blurs the lines between reality and entertainment even further. The genesis of "District 9" lies in a short, low budget 2005 mockumentary called "Alive in Joburg" that Blomkamp shot in a Johannesburg shantytown a few years ago. In the short film, Blomkamp added intergalactic aliens to the cultural mix of Johannesburg, one of Africa’s most dynamic cities. Blomkamp soon discovered that his idea of intergalactic refugees suddenly arriving on the city’s doorstep dovetailed with the real conflict and xenophobia prevalent amongst the citizens of Johannesburg towards the influx of illegal aliens from neighboring countries. The honest reactions he captured on camera brought a vitality to the short film, blurring the line between fiction and reality. He points out: "I was not intentionally trying to deceive the people we interviewed. I was just trying to get the most completely real and genuine answers. In essence, there is no difference except that in my film we had a group of intergalactic aliens as opposed to illegal aliens." Because "District 9" is set in South Africa, it's obvious that some people may suggest that the film is a direct metaphor for the many problems that country has faced over the years. So is it?

The filmmakers say that though it’s impossible to divorce the film from its setting, no direct metaphor is intended. Working with the thematic and visual ingredients of the short film as a springboard, Blomkamp and his writing partner Terri Tatchell fleshed out the character of Wikus, and introduced two central alien characters, Christopher Johnson and his son, Little C.J. (The writers gave the aliens human names, imagining the re-naming humans would do when admitting the aliens to our planet). It was important to the writers that all of the characters, even and especially the aliens, were believable, recognizable: well, human. Drawing on people they knew or were familiar with, the writers created a cast of characters who are an amalgamation of many people. Blomkamp’s childhood friend and collaborator, Sharlto Copley, was cast in the role of Wikus van der Merwe, the MNU official charged with removing the non-humans from "District 9" and moving them to the concentration camp of 'District 10'. Copley had also worked on the short film "Alive in JoBurg", producing that film. "Neill has found a very soulful way of approaching science fiction," says Copley, who has known Blomkamp for over twelve years. "The genre can be clinical, even cold and unemotional. But in Neill’s hands, it resonates quite deeply. There’s no particular message or big moral of the story: it’s just a melting pot of emotions that comes out." Copley says that he was thrilled to continue working with Blomkamp. "There is a very small film industry in South Africa. So even if you meet someone else who wants to work in film, it’s not necessarily a person that you can resonate with or gets your creative point of view. So I feel very fortunate that Neill’s one of those people that I always got what he was trying to accomplish, and he saw things in me, too." And how does he see his character? "A small amount of power goes a long way with Wikus; he’s an ordinary guy who likes to wield power in a bureaucratic way. That’s why MNU promotes him: they want a guy who will do things in an orderly, proper way." It doesn't work out all that well for Wikus. "Wikus has a very bad day, says three time AFI Award winner Jackson (2003, '04 & '05). "Not only does he contract a mysterious disease that starts changing his DNA, but what makes it worse is that he becomes the key to unlocking the alien weaponry. For a moment in time, Wikus becomes the most important person on the planet." David James plays Koobus, MNU’s chief enforcer, who becomes a bounty hunter of sorts when MNU’s chiefs order Wikus to be brought in, dead or alive. "Koobus is the dark side of MNU," says James. "If you need something done legally, you get Wikus, and if you need it done even if it’s not legal, you get Koobus. Everyone at MNU know that Koobus is not somebody you mess with." "I think Neill liked the psychopathic edge I gave to Koobus in my audition," says James. "He can lie so convincingly to everyone around him: he’s operating with his own agenda. Whenever I was in doubt about what my character would do in a situation, I went back to that." Another subtle clue to character might go over the heads of most Americans, but plays into a kind of bigotry that South Africans would know. "Wikus is Afrikaaner, which is perceived by some in South Africa as a kind of a redneck," says James. "I decided that I would play Koobus as English, a man who has spent his military service out of country. Even at the outset, in every way, he sees himself as being superior to Wikus." Jason Cope ("Big Fellas"), who had served as Blomkamp’s production manager on "Alive in JoBurg", plays the non-human Christopher Johnson.

"Actually, I play about ten different characters," says Cope, who'd wake up and say, "Which creature will I be today?" My mom was very excited when I got the part. She asked, "What are you doing?" I said, "I’m playing a community of intergalactic beings in the townships. She couldn’t quite get her head around it. Neill had a very clear idea about what he wanted from the non-humans. During the rehearsal process, we got a feel for what he liked, but he also gave me a lot of freedom, within certain boundaries. I wouldn’t act too much like an animal or an insect, but I’m definitely not acting human, either." "Jason is a terrific actor to play off of," says Copley. "Those were some of the best scenes in the film, for me." 2000 Miss South Africa finalist and international model Vanessa Haywood was cast as Wikus's wife, Tania Van De Merwe. Haywood's career started as a television presenter on programs such as "Wildlife Warehouse", "AgriTV", and the Afrikaans-language nature program "Groen", but in recent times she has made the move to film, appearing with Leonardo DiCaprio in "Blood Diamond". Blomkamp always intended that District 9 would stand on its own, influenced by the great science fiction films that came before it, but unique in vision and groundbreaking in method. "District 9" breaks the rules most effectively in its style of shooting, which, by the end of the film, has audiences wondering what’s real and what’s entirely imagined. Longtime friend, cinematographer Trent Opaloch, shared the director’s instinctive understanding of the trip he intended for moviegoers. "Trent is perfect in this ultra real, run and gun type of situation," says Blomkamp. "We didn’t spend too much time painting a beautiful picture; we just got in there and captured a raw, authentic feel." Blomkamp uses three different components to tell his story. First, of course, are the dramatic scenes encompassing Wikus’s story. With handheld cameras and other techniques, Blomkamp and Opaloch sought raw, brutal, and authentic-looking images. For example, Opaloch mounted dozens of mini-cameras on every set, which captured both the action as well as the filming process. The filmmakers also shot a 'corporate video' for MNU, with Copley as Wikus speaking directly to the camera. "That was the very first test we did," says Copley. "It adds an extra layer to the film, showing how the character is 'oncamera' vs. 'off': he’s trying to make himself seem impressive, show off a bit." The second is the mockumentary footage. The filmmakers worked independently from the main unit, interviewing dozens of people, some actors and some not, to get the desired, off the cuff responses to the situation presented in the film. The third is real, existing footage sourced from the South African Broadcasting Corporation, Reuters, and other news agencies. This is mostly archival news footage used to help flesh out the world that Blomkamp has created. "A lot of films will reference footage that they claim is existing footage, where you see a famous news presenter or a snippet from CNN, so what I am doing is not uncommon," says Blomkamp. "The only difference is that there is a greater amount of it in this film." The filmmakers always intended to shoot "District 9" in Johannesburg, South Africa. "There is so much visual detail here, the dirt or barbed wire or weeds, it’s incredibly rich visually," Blomkamp notes. "For the film to work, I think you need this level of reality and this level of pollution and realness. It has become a place of walled communities, barbed wire, electric fences, closed circuit television cameras, and private security firms. I find it visually stimulating and I absolutely love it." Synopsis

Over twenty years ago, aliens made first contact with Earth. Humans waited for the hostile attack, or the giant advances in technology. Neither came. Instead, the aliens were refugees from their home world. The creatures were set up in a makeshift home in South Africa’s District 9 as the world’s nations argued over what to do with them. Now, patience over the alien situation has run out. Control over the aliens has been contracted out to Multi-National United (MNU), a private company uninterested in the aliens’ welfare. MNU will receive tremendous profits if they can make the aliens’ powerful weaponry work. So far, they have failed. Then one of the MNU field operatives, Wikus van der Merwe, contracts an alien virus that begins changing his DNA. Wikus quickly becomes the most hunted man in the world, as well as the most valuable: and now he is the key to unlocking the secrets of alien technology. And the corrupt MNU want him kept alive. Ostracized and friendless, there's only one place for him to hide: District 9.

The Verdict

"What makes "District 9" so outstanding is it's fresh approach to the Alien genre. Though we've seen so many major productions over the years and been treated to some wonderful storytelling, the genre has, in some ways, become a litlle bit stale. Until now, that is. Watching Blomkamp's film makes one feel as though it's all new. It's as though we've been taken back to the very beginning. Reborn and witnessing the spark that fired up cinemagoers emotions. If the genre was looking for that spark, they should look to what Blomkamp has done. There's no doubting the fact: "District 9" is definately exciting to watch. It's made all the better because the opening act is deliberately quite funny. But as the story progresses, it morphes from a 'mockumentary' into an absolute edge of your seat thriller and, a first class drama. It's impossible to take your eyes off the screen in case you miss a moment. Sharlto Copley is brilliant as Wikus Van De Merwe, the man MNU has placed in charge of evicting the Aliens from the slum they are living in. Initially he comes across as a real 'duffus' (a clueless dunderhead!). But Wikus grows on you and when things go belly-up, we start to cheer for him. Then, when he truly empowers himself, we see him as a genuine hero. The interaction between Wikus and the films 'bad guy', MNU’s chief enforcer Koobus, totally amps the film up, taking it into very dark, yet believeable territory. One other character I am sure will evoke great empathy from audiences is Wikus's wife Tania. Again, I'm sure audiences will feel for her. There is so much good in this production. The creature FX, the SFX, the imposing alien spaceship hovering silently over the city of Johannesburg for most of the film, the cinematography and of course, the cast. Brilliant. 4 1/2 STARS." Who Plays Who?

Sharlto Copley
Louis Minnaar
Johan van Schoor
Vanessa Haywood
Marian Hooman
Jason Cope
Nathalie Boltt
Sylvaine Strike
Elizabeth Mkandawie
John Summer
William Allen Young
Greg Melvill-Smith
Nick Blake
Hlengiwe Madlala
iyabonga Radebe

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Wikus Van De Merwe
Piet Smit
Nicolas Van De Merwe
Tania Van De Merwe
Sandra Van De Merwe
Grey Bradnam (UKNR Chief Correspondent)
Sarah Livingstone (Sociologist)
Dr Katrina McKenzie
Interviewee
Les Feldman (MIL Engineer)
Dirk Michaels
GrInterviewer
Francois Moraneu (CIV Engineer Team)
Sangoma
Obesandjo's Lieutenant

The Production Team

Director
Screenplay
Produced by
Original Music
Cinematography
Film Editor
Casting
Production Designer
Art Direction
Set Decoration

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Neill Blomkamp
Neill Blomkamp & Terri Tatchell
Peter Jackson
Clinton Shorter
Trent Opaloch
Julian Clarke
Denton Douglas
Philip Ivey
Emilia Roux
Guy Potgieter