Short Film: Alive in Joburg
Alive in Joburg is a 2005 science fiction short film directed by Neill Blomkamp, produced by Simon Hansen and Sharlto Copley in Canada, and released by Spy Films. It runs approximately six minutes long and was filmed in Johannesburg, South Africa with soundtrack featuring composer sound designer Drazen Bosnjak’s “Harmonic Code”. The film explores themes of apartheid and is noted for its visual effects as well as its documentary-style imagery.
The Short’s got aliens—really realistic looking ones, with mech-style “bio-suits”. Set in an imaginary South Africa where aliens have landed and taken up residence, Alive in Joburg poses as a documentary intent on examining how life has changed for residents there, interchanging interviews with realistic CG. The visuals are excellent and while the film’s attempt to equate the aliens reception by locals with South Africa’s Apartheid era are somewhat transparent.
amazing visuals for a low budget short film…
On August 14, 2009, Sony Pictures released a feature film adaptation entitled District 9 directed by Neill Blomkamp with executive production by Peter Jackson, and featuring Sharlto Copley and Jason Cope, who also were involved in Alive in Joburg. District 9 was nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
Check out the film…
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