Aliens invade Johannesburg
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Sharlto Copley in ‘District 9’. AFP |
South African science fiction movie "District 9", already a surprise
hit overseas, opened last weekend on local screens to a burst of
enthusiasm at the home-grown film that took Hollywood by storm.
In the film, a giant spaceship spins past typical alien invasion
targets like New York and runs out of energy over Johannesburg.
The creatures onboard - called "prawns" in a derogatory reference to
the aliens' appearance - become victims of racism and treated with
suspicion and contempt in a parable for apartheid. Lead actor Sharlto
Copley said the entire cast and crew were surprised at the film's
success, after it opened two weeks ago at the top of the North American
box office.
"I guess it's because it's unusual. It's not your typical Hollywood
sci-fi film," Copley said. Directed by South African-Canadian Neill
Blomkamp and produced by Oscar-winning "Lord of the Rings" director
Peter Jackson, "District 9" was made on a 30 million US dollar budget
and netted 37 million dollars on its opening weekend in North America.
AFP
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