Re: AlieNation

Iain Watson <(Address removed)> said:

Justin Slack <(Address removed)> said:
Mistah G <(Address removed)> said:
Iain Watson <(Address removed)> said:
District 9

So impressed with this. Top notch quality, intelligent Sci-Fi.
ooh! let's make a film about apartheid, because you know i used to live in south africa.until i was 16. i understand what it's like. in sandton. but hang on. we don't want to offend those nice white people who live there. and still control all the wealth. and are the only ones who can afford a ticket to the cinema. what shall we do?
science fiction!
excellent idea. where can we film it with a minimal outlay of capital? let's just do it in a township. they already look apocalyptic. don't worry about the people who live there. we'll buy them some kfc. sorted! gritty! low budget! oscar!etc. etc. etc.

Have you actually seen it? IMO it's the best film this year. I want to go see it at the cinema again before it ends its run, first film in years I've wanted to do that!

I think it handles it's subtext very well, it's not heavy-handed at all.

iain

i've seen it. it's ok. the first bit.

i should apologise for that rant. it's just that everybody in south africa has been going on and on about district 9 being a "south african film" and how it can teach us something about apartheid and will herald the dawn of a new golden era in south african film-making. meanwhile, it's directed by a canadian, financed by peter jackson, and (if you do even a cursory bit of googling) appears to have indulged in a fair bit of exploitative practice. and if you want to teach us something about apartheid make a film about apartheid, with, you know, people. allegory is a cop out.

disgrace is also out now, and while it doesn't quite capture the devastation of the book, it's far far better than district 9 in saying something about oppression.

justin