mmoa_writes

Thanks for the link. I usually ignore whatever it is that actors say about their roles if accused of being a racist/sexist/homophobic/transphobic stereotype - they're too close to the work to not get miffed about such accusations even if they're fairly made. I also think what Nyirenda misses is that in Nollywood films, characters try their hardest to resist the endemic corruption and superstition - most Nollywood films are basically morality plays, after all. In 'District 9', however, not one Nigerian gangster is depicted as a logically driven, perhaps mundanely unpleasant, character. This lack would be fair enough considering the relatively short time given to them, if not for the overwhelming stereotyping that's employed instead. Fortunately, as I said, they're not in it for long enough for that to spoil the whole film.

It also doesn't help that there isn't a single Nigerian who is depicted as having integrated in the South African regime, whilst there are (at least two) amongst black south africans. Going on a slight tangent of sci-fi geekery, that doesn't make much sense considering the arrival of the aliens did take place a whole decade before apartheid was abolished - either the white government would have used the arrival of the aliens to entreaty the blacks - both native and immigrant - to remain in their lowly positions (similar to the way white land owners did with low class whites against black former slaves in the southern states of the US) in a 'at least you're human. Join us in keeping them down [by conveniently ignorring the fact you are just as powerless as they are under our regime]!' kind of way OR the governing body would have a greater mix of black and white nationalities so there'd be Nigerians amongst the police force, army, mercenaries and beaurucrats as well as black South Africans, Afrikaans and English South Africans.

As it was, the depiction of the Nigerians does give the impression of an unanalysed prejudice, particularly the woeful lack of accuracy (such extreme rituals are apparently a modern phenomena the rise of which came hand in hand with the rising corruption in West Africa. In an alternate universe where aliens arrived in a rich African nation ten years ago, I don't think it would have played out the same way). I mean, they've had well over ten years to see if eating aliens will work. Even Nigerians are capable of scientific deduction sometimes, you know?

Oh jeez, and now you've got me lecturing. I'm so easy...