10 South African Artworks Fusing Art and Science Fiction — theculturetrip.com

Before District 9 took the cinematic world by storm in 2009, the concept behind Neill Blomkamp’s biting sci-fi social commentary first took shape in a short 2005 film entitled Alive in Joburg. Sharing the same premise of a critically damaged spacecraft floating above Johannesburg, the film serves as a prequel of sorts to District 9, looking at early interactions between the apartheid government, citizens of Johannesburg and the alien 'prawns'. Through these sci-fi metaphors, Blomkamp is able to take a critical look at the racist othering inherent in segregation, xenophobia and nationalism, particularly towards refugees.

Read More