Representation of South Africa in the film District 9
Location and Environment
In District 9, South Africa is represented as a region with two different sides to it. The modern structures and developed city skyline of Johannesburg attempts to hide and conceal the darker reality of gang violence and the run-down slums where the 'Prawns' are forced to live. The film cleverly contrasts the advanced sleekness of the modern labs with the dilapidated outskirts of the city, where the 'prawns' live, to emphasise how they are attempting to conceal the poverty and moral issues still evident.
People and relationships
In District 9, the population is once again represented as two separate groups. The film portrays Vickus as living a good live with his wife in his nice house, with a very well paid job.This stereotypical happy life is shown throughout the main city part of Johannesburg, and evident in Vickus's work colleges and his father-in-law. However the film also portrays the poorer population, shown in the scene where Vickus attempts to buy food and within the gangs of District 9. The people with the more working/upper class lives are represented as having good, friendly relationships with others. This is shown in the party seen in the beginning and in the centre of MNU where Vickus's colleagues are talking about him. However when showing the more lower class population, they are seen as less friendly and extremely violent in the case of the gangs.
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2009/aug/20/district-9-south-africa-apartheid
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2009/aug/20/district-9-south-africa-apartheid
Timeline Of South African History
- 1795 - British forces seize Cape Colony from the Netherlands. Territory is returned to the Dutch in 1803; ceded to the British in
- 1806.1910 - Formation of Union of South Africa by former British colonies of the Cape and Natal, and the Boer republics of Transvaal, and Orange Free State.
- 1816-1826 - Shaka Zulu founds and expands the Zulu empire, creates a formidable fighting force
- 1948 - Policy of apartheid (separateness) adopted when National Party (NP) takes power.
- 1950 - Population classified by race. Group Areas Act passed to segregate blacks and whites. Communist Party banned. ANC responds with campaign of civil disobedience, led by Nelson Mandela.
- 1960 - Seventy black demonstrators killed at Sharpeville. ANC banned.
- 1970s - More than 3 million people forcibly resettled in black 'homelands'.
- 1976 - More than 600 killed in clashes between black protesters and security forces during uprising which starts in Soweto.
- 1976: Black anger boils over South African street protests . People rallied against the white government, which hit back violently.
- 1984-89 - Township revolt, state of emergency.
- 1994 April - ANC wins first non-racial elections. Mandela becomes president, Government of National Unity formed, Commonwealth membership restored, remaining sanctions lifted. South Africa takes seat in UN General Assembly after 20-year absence.
- 1996 - Truth and Reconciliation Commission chaired by Archbishop Desmond Tutu begins hearings on human rights crimes committed by former government and liberation movements during apartheid era.
- 2002 April - Court acquits Dr Wouter Basson - dubbed "Dr Death" - who ran apartheid-era germ warfare programme. Basson had faced charges of murder and conspiracy. ANC condemns verdict.
- 2007 April - President Mbeki, often accused of turning a blind eye to crime, urges South Africans to join forces to bring rapists, drug dealers and corrupt officials to justice.
- 2008 May - Wave of violence directed at foreigners hits townships across the country. Dozens of people die and thousands of Zimbabweans, Malawians and Mozambicans return home.
- 2008 - President Mbeki resigns over allegations that he interfered in the corruption case against Mr Zuma. ANC deputy leader Kgalema Motlanthe is chosen by parliament as president.
- 2009 July - Township residents complaining about poor living conditions mount violent protests.
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