Anyway I went digging and this is what I found out about the ban...
On Saturday, September 19, Nigeria's Information Minister Dora Akunyili told the BBC's Network Africa programme that the sci-fi movie is not welcomed in the country and that she had ordered the Nigerian film and video censors' board to ask all cinemas to stop showing it.
On the reason why, Akunyili explained, "We feel very bad about this because the film clearly denigrated Nigeria's image by portraying us as if we are cannibals, we are criminals."
In District 9 there is a group of Nigerians, the only humans living in the D-9 shanty town and they are protrayed as ruling organised crime gang, ‘aquiring’ piles of Alien weapons, illegal food selling to the aliens, prostitution and there gang leader (Obesandjo) is seen on screen eating aliens flesh after been told by a witch doctor he would absorb the aliens power.
The minister also mentioned that the name of the major baddie is very similar to that of former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo. "The name our former president was clearly spelt out as the head of the criminal gang and our ladies shown like prostitutes sleeping with extra-terrestrial beings," she added. In addition to demanding the censors' board to confiscate the movie, Akunyili stated that she has appealed to Sony for an apology and the renaming of the Nigerian antagonists. "I have also formally written to Sony Pictures Entertainment, the company that produced this film, demanding an unconditional apology for this unwarranted attack on Nigeria's image," she claimed.
I dont know about you but as a Nigerian I am not in anyway offended by this portrayal. Like the actor said it's just a movie...for entertainment...people don't take such things seriously...so many countries have been portrayed in so many different ways...so why are we making a big deal out of this...kini big deal mehn? :-)
The Future Awards Meets the British High Commissioner to Nigeria
6 comments:
I've heard alot about the film too and for the reason Mrs Akunyili gave , i want to see the film.
This is what it means when i say , Nigeria is chasing shadows! Instead of her to tell her boss to develop the nation and improve the basic, that is all the rebranding we need
God bless dora for these one. Ttlolla if your family is eating alliance or prostitude my are not
Good one dora
There was no reason why the producers and who ever was involved in the making of the movie couldn't have come up with a fictitious country (would that have taken anything away from the movie?) and seriously...why Obasanjo? Movie or not it was an insulting way to potray a whole nation.
Exactly Anonymous! A fictitious name would have been used. I think this attempt by companies to display Nigeria and Nigerians in negative light should be rejected by us all. Not all Nigerians are bad and I am tired of being given suspicious glances anytime i say I am a Nigerian overseas. The bad blood and suspicion of foreigners towards Nigerians comes from what the media portrays Nigerians to be. The foreigners who have been to Nigeria will tell you that Nigerians are hardworking and nice. I believe Dora is doing a good job and we should all support her in promoting the goodness of Nigerians.
Nonesense! Have we not all been turned into cannibals foraging on one another? Have they not turned our children into prostitutes roaming the streets instead of learning in schools? have they not made heros of looters and murderers? It is only an old woman that cringes when dry bones are mentioned.Since Dora cannot tell the president the truth,why not allow them to draw inference from innocent movies made in other climes? What has she said about her boss spending our tax money to go and commission a university in Saudi arabia when all universities in Nigeria are on strike? Dora , tell your boss that we have been pushed far into the wall, one of these days...your bloods and whatever is left of ours will be spilled on the streets of this nation.
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