tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31783628.post621528426997798676..comments2024-02-21T06:57:22.256-05:00Comments on Unemployed Negativity: Truth is Structure Like a (Science) Fiction: Notes on Moon and District 9unemployed negativityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01251742512967070290noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31783628.post-53568737883321267132009-08-22T15:57:37.513-04:002009-08-22T15:57:37.513-04:00I have to admit that I am increasingly ambivalent ...I have to admit that I am increasingly ambivalent about District 9, finding it to be at once original and derivative, provocative and banal. Here is very enthusiastic discussion, however, from the incomparable Kim Dot Dammit: http://kdotdammit.livejournal.com/1608291.htmlunemployed negativityhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01251742512967070290noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31783628.post-45251012428911472702009-08-21T22:41:50.967-04:002009-08-21T22:41:50.967-04:00David, I liked your post on the film very much. In...David, I liked your post on the film very much. In general I was interested in what I saw as certain formal resemblances between the narratives of the two films, especially with respect to the protagonist. Ultimately, I agree that Wikus is racist, but his racism is of a paternalistic sort, constrained by rules. This is distinct from the soldiers. In this respect the "alien abortion" scene is the most telling and I agree, Jane, that it is one of the more disturbing aspect of the film. Soon after Wikus gleefully burns the alien nest/incubator he prevents another soldier from shooting the alien child. He simply states, we cannot do that. He makes no moral distinction, just one of rules.unemployed negativityhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01251742512967070290noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31783628.post-25505100666632727182009-08-21T07:59:00.346-04:002009-08-21T07:59:00.346-04:00I agree with David about Wikus, who strikes severa...I agree with David about Wikus, who strikes several early false notes before revealing the full extent of his callous racism in the scene where alien "eggs" are "aborted." He jokes to the others about the popping sound the eggs make as they explode. None of the splatter-shot gaming violence of the later battles had the same shock or punch as this moment, at least for me. The moral blindness of the act is compounded for viewers by the introduction almost immediately after of an alien child, as if to emphasize the gap between the dehumanizing "egg" terminology and the reality of the very human-like alien child, who acts throughout with the same mix of fear and resourcefulness characteristic of children in frightening situations (at least in movies). Wikus never demonstrates an ounce of concern for this child when he stupidly tries to escape in the smaller craft, and his later return to help the child's father is too late and already compromised by self-interest. <br /><br />My main reaction to this film is that it is a wasted opportunity and seems determined to blow it in the sequel as well. I will probably see this again on DVD just to catch more things in the dialogue, especially in the beginning, but I found Moon much more thought-provoking overall.Jane Kuenzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01858878080524066536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31783628.post-5806195572081130812009-08-20T21:38:52.073-04:002009-08-20T21:38:52.073-04:00I'm not sure I share your impression of Wikus....I'm not sure I share your impression of Wikus. For me he was a classic racist from beginning to end. The difference between him and the soldiers was that Wikus liked to tame/hide the horror of racism (use of catfood, making jokes) while still achieving the same ends. But the film presents this racism as a kind of likeable ignorance/stupidity - it's a jocular and 'naive' racism that's easier to stomach. <br /><br />But of course, as soon as Wikus' position becomes untenable or remotely threatened he is all to willing for force to be used. To me Wikus is a far more dislikeable character than the soldiers precisely because he's so disingenous. I didn't get the impression he believed in what he was doing but only that he was a cowardly, corporate lackey - his belief in these 'public laws' was always just a way of being a good employee. He always knews the relocation camps were just concentration camps but it's easier for him to pretend he's a benevolent humanitarian. Even after he transforms, I never got the sense that his actions were motivated by anything but desperation and selfishness. Even his sudden character shift at the end seemed more reckless and arbitrary than a genuine shift from his self centred actions. For me, the hardcore racist soldiers are more likeable characters because at least they're honest and coherent about their beliefs and allegiences!<br /><br />I take a look at the racist subtext of the film in more detail here: http://daveguzman.blogspot.com/2009/08/is-district-9-racist.htmlDavid Marin-Guzmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06696488378134775986noreply@blogger.com