2009 has been an incredible year for science fiction films. Duncan Jones’ impressive Moon and James Cameron’s super-hyped Avatar can consider themselves in extremely good company with District 9. Director Neill Blomkamp has a very bright future ahead of him. Based on Blomkamp’s short film Alive in Joburg, District 9 is quite simply one of the most impressive films I’ve ever seen from a first time director, period. Spoilers to follow.
The movie is not without its shortcomings; at times the film lacks discipline and suffers from directorial overindulgence. Blomkamp was given free reign by producer Peter Jackson — a luxury many directors would kill for — and it shows. But that new director naïveté helps the film as often as it hurts it. Moments of selfish excess aside, the film is full of brilliant set pieces and quiet character moments. District 9 is easily one of the most unique and original film I’ve seen in years.
People are going to be absolutely blown away when they see District 9; the first feature film South African born, Vancouver, BC based filmmaker Neill Blomkamp. With the release of District 9 tomorrow, Blomkamp will quickly become the hot new director in Hollywood. His cinéma vérité style combined with his seamless integration of computer effects, make his work something entirely new and unique. This filmmaking style serves him well in District 9, making it one of the most original sci-fi films, nay one of the most original films period, that I’ve seen in years — see my full review of District 9 here.
Neill Blomkamp has gone from visual effects artist to feature film director in just a few years, and he’s not even 30 years old yet — Say Will, what are you doing with your life, eh? There is no doubt that the man has a very promising career ahead of him; anyone who has seen District 9 will not debate that point, but I wanted to take a few minutes to look back at some of the extraordinary work Blomkamp has already done. A retrospective if you will, of most of his amazing short films and commercials.
Alive in Joburg
Blomkamp drew on his youth in apartheid South Africa as the basis for Alive in Joburg; the film that would go on to inspire his feature film District 9. The story of Joburg is essentially the same: aliens arrive on Earth and can’t leave, the government segregates them from society due to all the problems they cause and naturally the shit ends up hitting the fan. Joburg is shot documentary style, painting a frighteningly convincing picture of a country actually having to deal with refugee aliens. This ain’t no Alien Nation, this is real. The short film also features Sharlto Copely, who produced it, and who also stars as the lead in Blomkamp’s District 9.
Yahoo Movies has posted the full theatrical trailer for Neill Blomkamp’s feature film debut District 9.
The unorthodox alien invasion film was produced by Peter Jackson, who hired the director to helm the live-action Halo movie which fell through. District 9 is based on Blomkamp’s short film Alive in Joburg. District 9 will be released in North America on August 14th.
Commercial director Neill Blomkamp was originally hired by Peter Jackson to direct the live-action Halo film, but when that fell through Blomkamp was left in the lurch. Thankfully at least some good has come of the situation, with Halo in development hell Blomkamp was given the opportunity to make District 9, a feature length version of his short film Alive in Joburg. District 9 is a documentary style film chronicling the unexpected arrival of extraterrestrials in South Africa, and the effect that living alongside these new creatures has on society.
Alive in Joburg is an amazing short film, that Blomkamp got to make a feature length version is beyond awesome. Neill Blomkamp is a director to watch, I highly recommend you check out Alive in Joburg and his other short films/commericals on YouTube. District 9 will have a limited international release in August.
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