Film Analysis

TodayWe are going to analyse Neil Blomkamps film ‘District 9’

By the end of this lesson you

MUST explain the narrative / story of district 9

SHOULD identify and describe the features of its genre

COULD explain the deeper meaning of the film, and talk about the issues it throws up.

NarrativeWhat is Distict 9s narrative (its basic story)?

Narrative “Blurb”Imagine you have been asked to write the blurb for the back of the DVD case. Working alone, try to explain the story of District 9 in a punchy way that is between three and five paragraphs long.

Who knows what a genre is?

A genre is a way of categorising (or grouping) a film based on its themes and the things that happen in it.

Horror is a popular film genre.What would you expect to see in a horror film?

In pairsList as many different genres of film as you can.

What genres did you come up with? Action Horror Comedy Sci-fi Fantasy Romantic comedy Etc…..

What genre of film is District 9?

District 9 is a science-fiction film. Why do we think it’s a sc-fi film?

In pairsList all the things you would expect to see in a sci-fi film: Robots Aliens Futuristic weapons Spaceships Soldiers Lasers

In pairsWhich of these were in District9? Robots Aliens Futuristic weapons Spaceships Soldiers Lasers

Working aloneWrite up a paragraph explaining why you think District 9 is part of the science fiction genre.

Explain what things you would expect to see in a science fiction film, and identify if they were in District 9.

Use specific examples from District 9s story to back up your points.

Who can remember what denotation and connotation are?

Denotation = basic meaning

What is the basic meaning of District 9?

Connotation = deeper meaningWhat is the real message of District 9?

Working aloneWrite up half a side of A4 paper where you explain what the denotation and connotation of District 9 are.

I want you to talk about the deeper meaning, the issues of racism, equality and refugees that District 9 asks its audience.