Via Nyasa Times
The Nigerian government has banned the science-fiction movie, District 9 , because of the role played by Malawian actor, Eugene Khumbanyiwa, a gang leader nicknamed Obesandjo – the surname of former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo.
“We feel very bad about this because the film clearly denigrated Nigeria’s image by portraying us as if we are cannibals, [or as if] we are criminals,” said Nigerian Information Minister, “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.”
But the Malawian actor, Khumbanyiwa, said that there were Nigerians in the cast who did not seem worried by the portrayal of their country, and in any case Nigerians were not the film’s only villains.
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I don’t think the movie was trying to insult anyone. Any over the top portrayals in the movie were done to make a point about humanity in general. The writers have said in interviews the movie was loosely based on apartheid. So they’re trying to make a point. But banning it really draws more attention to it, so I don’t think it will help.
Have you seen District 9? Do you think people have a reason to be angry?
