When I began watching District 9, I really was not sure what to expect. The audience is dropped into the middle of a documentary of sorts and it is obvious there is an incredible back story of which we're still missing some important pieces. However, it is this sense of detachment that brings out the true themes of the film – xenophobia and the idea that being human does not necessarily come automatically with the DNA. In the beginning, Wikus is a seemingly inhumane character who cannot feel any empathy whatsoever for the "prawns." Because of this, it is hard for the viewer to even like him as a person - until the movie takes a drastic turn as Wikus makes his own transition.
After this point, the film feels less like a documentary and more like a classic action alien movie, as we become more attached to the main character and Christopher. It is clear through his actions, that Wikus becomes more and more human as his physical characteristics deteriorate into more alien attributes. At the end of the film, when the transition is made back to the documentary style, the viewer is once again more physically detached from Wikus and his story, but at this point, we are more drawn in and curious about his future and well-being.
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ReplyDeleteThis is an interesting point you bring up about Wikus becoming more human as his physical characteristics become more alien. At the beginning of the film he has a very bad view point towards the aliens, evicting them out of their homes with no care. Once he becomes inflicted however, he feels bad for the alien he is forced to kill, and eventually teams up with Christopher to help his cause by fighting against the humans. During the whole movie I was just wishing that Wikus would die and his suffering would be over, but by the end I felt for him and hoped he would have a chance to reunite with his wife one day.
ReplyDeleteGoing along with the idea of Wikus becoming more humane as he develops into an alien, ties to another idea of what in our society is accepted even when it goes beyond morality. One definition of alien is one who remains in an area which is foreign to him or her. There is the obvious irony of the aliens leading a more humane role than the 'real humans', but we should also tie that to the restriction of those things which make us good in the first place.
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