2. 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
3. 1.The narrative themes of;
Aliens and humans coexisting
New technologies and their consequences
Transformation/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
4. 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.
5. 1.The use of on screen graphic to introduce characters/
contributors
2. Camera time codes
3. Acknowledgement of the camera
4. The use of interviews/vox pops
Documentary style Genre
Conventions
7. The films context
Apartheid
The 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.
Race
A 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.
8. 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.
9. 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 genre
Satire/Parody (why should it not be entertaining for a film to
discuss heavy political and spectatorship issues?)
Dilution and mixture of genre
Homage
The 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.
