Published 16 August 200916 August 2009 · Main Posts workers of the galaxy unite! Jeff Sparrow District 9 portrays first contact between humanity and an alien species taking place in post-apartheid South Africa, with the intergalactic visitors eventually herded into a gigantic slum. The film lurches unevenly between mockumentary and thriller, with the former much more successful than the latter. In some ways, the original short version, Alive in Joberg (embedded above) is more interesting, not least because it’s set in the apartheid era, and because it’s more anthropological and less driven by a conventional filmic narrative. Nonetheless, District 9‘s definitely worth seeing, especially the first half. Jeff Sparrow Jeff Sparrow is a Walkley Award-winning writer, broadcaster and former editor of Overland. More by Jeff Sparrow › Overland is a not-for-profit magazine with a proud history of supporting writers, and publishing ideas and voices often excluded from other places. If you like this piece, or support Overland’s work in general, please subscribe or donate. Related articles & Essays First published in Overland Issue 228 10 November 202311 November 2023 · Subscriberthon 2023 On the final day of Subscriberthon, Overland’s most important members get to have their say Editorial Team BORIS A quick guide to another year of Overland, from your trusty feline, Boris. I liked the ginger cat story, though it made my human cry. I liked the talking cat, too, but I’m definitely in the “not wasting my time learning to talk” camp. But reading is good. And writing is fun, though it’s been challenging […] 1 First published in Overland Issue 228 9 November 20239 November 2023 · Subscriberthon 2023 On the second-last day of Subscriberthon, Overland’s co-chief editor Evelyn Araluen speaks truth to power Editorial Team To my friends and comrades, I’m not sure if there’s language to communicate how this last month has utterly changed me. This time a few weeks ago the busyness and chaos of bricolage arts and academic labour had so efficiently distracted me from my anxiety about the upcoming referendum that I forgot to prepare myself for its inevitable conclusion.
