District 9 genre representation

9
Genre and Representation

description

 

Transcript of District 9 genre representation

Page 1: District 9 genre representation

Genre and Representation

Page 2: District 9 genre representation

The exam formula (how to approach your exam answer)

“To what extent are your chosen texts typical of their genre?” 2011 Exam

Stage one – Identify your 3 texts and their genres in a introduction

Stage two – For each text demonstrate an understanding of the genre conventions that apply. (Choose 3 genre conventions)

Stage three – For each individual genre convention chosen, ensure you give an example of a scene reference.

High grade students can link theory and contextual information to justify genre

Page 3: District 9 genre representation

1.The narrative themes of;

Aliens and humans coexistingNew technologies and their consequencesTransformation/body horror (Post modernist – paying homage)

2. The use of advanced scientific events within a fictional narrative to propose and discuss a real moral debate

3. Traditional iconography (the visual images and symbols used in a work of art)

Sci-Fi Genre Conventions

Page 4: District 9 genre representation

Sci-Fi Genre Conventions

Neil Blomkamp’s “District 9” pays homage to the genre and specifically to David Croenberg’s “The Fly” a previous Sci-Fi, via a intertextaul reference. This gratifies the preferred audiences viewing needs.

Page 5: District 9 genre representation

1.The use of on screen graphic to introduce characters/contributors2. Camera time codes3. Acknowledgement of the camera4. The use of interviews/vox pops

Documentary style Genre Conventions

Page 6: District 9 genre representation

RepresentationEthnicity and Gender

Page 7: District 9 genre representation

The films context

ApartheidThe city in question is the director's hometown of Johannesburg, South Africa. The film was made after apartheid was abolished in South Africa. This overt satire effectively encourages the audience to ask questions the movie is uninterested in answering. It’s been 33 years since South Africa’s Soweto riots stirred the world’s disgust with that country’s regime where legal segregation kept blacks “apart” and in “hoods” (thus, Apartheid) The text discusses these issues but via Aliens and Humans.

RaceA row broke out over the film's representation of Nigerians as gang members, weapons dealers, cannibalistic, voodoo using prostitutes. A back lash from blogs complained the film would reinforce negative stereotypes of the country. A Facebook group, District 9 hates Nigerians, was also hastily created, and is urging people to sign a petition demanding an apology from the film-makers.

Page 8: District 9 genre representation

If District 9 really does hate Nigerians, it clearly hates its powerful, white characters even more. Objecting to Nigerians being portrayed as morally bankrupt criminals seems pointless when almost every group of characters in the film have little or no regard for the law and a predominately negative representation.The company in charge of shipping the aliens away from humans, MNU, and many of the white politicians giving the orders are invariably ignorant, double-crossing, ironically inhumane and corrupt. The soldiers are again white, with characteristics of being easily mind-controlled thugs, using violence, threats and tricking aliens into signing dubious eviction notices. Scientists are white and carry out underhand experiments on captured "Prawns"; Even the representation of the aliens is negative, they arm themselves with illegal weapons and brawl in the streets.Blomkamp makes it clear the Nigerians are no better or worse than their white (or alien) counterparts, creating an unsettling sort of equality among the characters. And while the film may occasionally play on clumsy racial stereotypes, it also encourages us to challenge them. All are represented in a negative nature when in power.Blomkamp passes the baton back to us as viewers to question how our own beliefs shape our opinion of representation and racism. Are we defensive when in a minority? Are we unaware when in a majority? However right or wrong or cynically you view Blomkamp’s views, what is undoubtedly true and maybe a little ironic is it is he who has the opportunity to present them and it is he who is a white middle age male.

Page 9: District 9 genre representation

District 9, A Post Modern Film?

Typical features include a deliberate mixing of different artistic styles and media, the self-conscious use of earlier styles and conventions,Hybrid genreSatire/Parody (why should it not be entertaining for a film to discuss heavy political and spectatorship issues?)Dilution and mixture of genre HomageThe postmodern author deliberately undercuts the smooth surface of his narrative and by somehow standing back and commenting on the action prevents the reader from losing themself in the story.