Neill Blomkamp makes his full-length feature-film debut with District 9 today (unfortunately for us Brits, it doesn’t open until September 4th). Blomkamp was once attached to direct the on-off-on-again Halo movie, and a lot of people had their doubts about him directing District 9 (under the eye of producer Peter Jackson) simply because he was a “newbie.”
You may not know that before he set his sights on feature films, Blomkamp was a short film and commercials director. District 9 is actually based on his short film called Alive in Joburg from a few years ago – the short is incredibly ambitious and it was almost inevitable someone would try to extend it into a full-length version – Why not the guy who did the short film?
However, as evident from the rave reviews of District 9 (including from our own Vic Holtreman), Blomkamp has done a fine job with his first full-length movie. The naysayers are probably sorry (if they’re not, they should be) for discounting him so early.
Today’s Screen Rant pick is a neat playlist showcasing Blomkamp’s short films, including Alive in Joburg and one he did for Halo. Check two of the video(s) out below:
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ALIVE IN JOBERG
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HALO 3 SHORT
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For more short films by Neill Blomkamp, check head over to the YouTube Playlist.
I was quite surprised to find out Blomkamp did the very cool dancing robot car ad – just shows you how unrecognized a lot of these commercial directors go sometimes. I’m glad to see someone like Blomkamp going from short work to feature films. If District 9 is anything to go by, it certainly won’t be the director’s last.
What do you think of Blomkamp’s short work? Which is your favorite?
As stated, District 9 opened today in the US, and opens in the UK on September 4th.
Source: YouTube (thanks to InContention)
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It’s about time one of the stories about District 9 referenced the short it was based on. Thanks for not just mentioning it, but showing it. It was awesome! It should be watched before the viewing of District 9.
i think all of his shorts are great and i wish alot of them were longer, of course then they wouldn’t be shorts lol.If i had to choose one as my favorite or rather one that would make the best full length movie id have to pick Yellow.
Impressive stuff. I’d be interested to know what the budget was for Alive In Joberg. Loved the idea of the aliens laying down cables into the power grid like a bunch of intergalactic freeloaders. Mr Cookerhead flinging vehicles around, though: would someone not be radioing for major tactical support at that point?
I was a little dubious about the first trailer for D9, but I’ve heard nothing but positive things about it (from those who’ve actually seen it) and I’m well up for this now.
@Big Dentist
I just saw it, and it was alright. It was pretty good, but people seem to be making it out to be the best movie they’ve seen in like 10 years or something. I thought it was good, but mainly only because it was different. But then again, I guess this year hasn’t been like the best year in movies… So I guess compared to most of the other movies so far this year it’s pretty good…
Thanks Ken – we’ve got to wait another two weeks for it in the UK. I’m having to stop myself having a sneaky peak at the spoilers thread; you’re right about it being a slow year! I’ve got a couple of friends from Johannesberg I should be meeting up with around the same time, and it’ll be interesting to see what their take is on D9 (film and phenomenon).
Yeah, If I could make a suggestion Big Dentist, I’d suggest not reading to much about the story or plot, or definitely the spoilers. I went into the movie really wanting to see it, but knowing very little beyond what I’d seen in the trailers, and I think that made the movie 100% better for me. I think that’s the first movie I can say that’s true.
Doing my best, Josh! I’m avoiding the latest D9 Debate thread as well. The Hurt Locker’s the other one I’m not going to read any more about until I see it.
Hurt Locker was ok, better if you can keep from laughing at that sniper scene. You’ll know the scene when you see it. Someone really dropped the ball on that scene…