Nigeria has banned the film “District 9” from its movie theaters because of what it considers a poor portrayal of Nigerians. The country’s information minister, Dora Akunyili has asked movie houses in Abuja, the nation’s capital, to stop showing the movie because she feels it depicts Nigerians as gangsters and cannibals.
The BBC reports Akunyili said, “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. The name our former president was clearly spelt [sic] out as the head of the criminal gang and our ladies shown like prostitutes sleeping with extra-terrestrial beings…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.”
I saw District 9 and thought it had a good social message, but then again I’m not Nigerian. I can understand why Nigerians are offended. That said, I also understand what Malawian actor Eugene Khumbanyiwa, who played the gang leader Obasanjo (the surname of former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo), said: “It’s a story, you know. It’s not like Nigerians do eat aliens. Aliens don’t even exist in the first place.”
CATEGORIES: Culture, Ethics
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Loved the film, but I did wonder whether Nigerians would find it offensive, it wasn’t exactly a rosy portrait of the country’s citizens. I don’t know too much about South African / Nigerian relations — does this portrayal play off of some stereotypes that already exist?
personally i think its an overeaction..the nigerians were just on the wrong end of the stick… I think it should be shown everywhere because of the movies statement on racism.
He can’t just say aliens don’t exist. There’s a good chance that aliens do exist, we just haven’t discovered any yet.
Its only fiction, what is the big deal? The Nigerian government is taking this way too seriously.
Slimming Chinese Tea
There was a similar uprising over The Davinci Code. What people seem to forget is that these are FICTIONAL movies made for ENTERTAINMENT. Some people take these things too literally. The Nigerians also told Sony to take down a commercial that was ‘offensive’. They may not like it, but sometimes the truth hurts.
Was the demand for this apology before or after the PS3 commercial? Either Sony has something against Nigerians, or one of their execs fell prey to a 419 scam
It’s funny how they get affended about a movie. All cultuers have been affended in one way or another. Funny how they want to create a stir about this when their reputation recently has been Ebay scams and those fake emails of “large sums of money” and all they need is your personal information and a few grand to release the funds.
Ha! This wouldn’t be the first time Nigeria had a bone to pick with Sony. A few days ago they just sent an angry letter to Sony about the reference to 419 scams in the new ps3 commercial!
http://consumerist.com/5362936/nigeria-demands-apology-for-sony-ad-implying-theyre-a-source-of-scams
This is hilarious. I live in Johannesburg, where district 9 was based. For the most part it’s rather true. Nigerians basically run the drug trade and prostitution rings in South Africa. Note really a big secret. Ask anyone who lives in Johannesburg.
I watched District 9 last night and the only thing I could think about was how awesome a movie it was. Not once did it occur to me that D9 was demeaning or in any way racist towards Nigerians or any other nationality.
Xenoba NZ
first film where Alian’s don’t land in the USA..!
@ David
and like the slavery days, we will continue to put a root on you and your families!
nigeria. stfu. stfd. srsly.
this film was an impressive snap shot of humanity. it was the first alien / sci.fi film that truly made me question humanity. very timeless. Nigerians banning the the film is a fear based action.
i have not seen the movie but whatever it may portray. i want you all to know that every society has it’s own ills. No one is a saint. Nigerians are good people
Good people, Great nation
“Nigerians” aren’t offended. It’s a country run by politicians, like any other. Other movies have had atrocious portrayals of that country, and this is the first I’ve heard of them banning anything. Absurd.
And I say that as a Nigerian.
I think the movie was very offensive. As a Nigerian , yeah there are some truths.. but this was way beyond what is truthful. Yeah a minority of us have been stupid (or smart) enough to steal, run scams etc, but the majority of us are hard working people just trying to put food on the table. How would you feel looking at a movie, already battling hateful stereotypes, and seeing the frist major potrayal of Nigerians in Hollywod cinema as a people that we sleep with aliens for money?
How could I not as an educated, hard working, proud Nigerian-American female not be offended? I was there with my non-Nigerian husband and it was all I could do not to run the heck out of the cinema! Sony.. shame on you. I am no longer going to buy Sony products.