The success story behind “Alive in Joburg” is one of the many interesting successes of the indie culture. Director Neill Blomkamp created this short mock documentary film in 2005, gained a cult status, was later expanded into a feature length film becoming “District 9,” gained worldwide praise from critics and genre fans, won many awards and eventually became a contender for best picture in the Oscars. It’s an astounding tale of a humble indie production turning in to a rather fantastic masterpiece.
As someone who loved “District 9” Blomkamp’s preamble in to this universe is rather excellent because it speaks volumes of what we’re in for with “District 9.” Blomkamp remains true to his roots in the latter production, even enlisting Sharlto Copley as the main star who appears here in a brief interview as a sniper. The general tale is the same as the feature length film. A horde of alien crafts appear over Johannesburg in 1990, and what is presumably an invasion is in reality an astounding accident of aliens being stranded on Earth. As the culture around this big event slowly comes to this realization the terror dies down in to sheer irritation. Blomkamp emphasizes that with interviews with locals and government officials who all have the same mindset. They don’t know why they’re here but they’re nuisances.
We not only get a fascinating glimpse at the horrors witnessed and endured by these stranded extraterrestrials, but we also are able to see a spectacular battle between an alien droid and two SWAT team member which is on the surface a war, but underneath just two species completely confused over the other’s intent toward them. Much of the atmosphere and grit from “District 9” is here and Blomkamp’s short is not too different from the genre masterpiece. The footage is disturbing and the special effects are eye catching. He stresses the overwhelming emotional tone with a dramatic score and instead zeroes in on the humans forced to adjust to these new visitors who are definitely on Earth for the long haul whether they (and we) like it or not.
Which is an interesting contrast to “District 9” which then turned the tables and transformed in to a tale about the aliens struggling to survive on Earth and being forced to endure the brunt of human cruelty toward them. The short is rather frantic and tense and it just properly captures how our society would go in to sheer chaos at the sight of a new race happening on us and further clogging our already crowded population. Blomkamp makes implications are something larger in his scope and he realizes it in “District 9.” This is a memorable introduction in to a story worthy of more interpretations. It’s a great little short film, and it can still be found online for any hardcore fans of Blomkamp’s science fiction masterpiece. Blomkamp is most definitely a sharp eyed and brilliant filmmaker and this vision of a new age is stellar.