TFS Reader Kashif Pasta gave us the heads up on this video in which the District 9 director participates in a TED Talk at TEDxVancouver. I’ve also included a press release regarding his recent Oscar nominations. Check out the video and statement below.
So you undoubtedly know about TED talks, and of TEDx, the independently-organized TED events around the world. We had one recently in Vancouver, where Neill Blomkamp was a speaker. The video of his talk went up a couple of days ago, and regardless of whether it contains the direction of his next/a future film (which I strongly feel it does) that he’s going to do, it’s a pretty captivating, theoretical science-driven vision of our universe, life on other planets, and the future of human civilization in a way that most of us probably haven’t ever thought of. I think you’ll love it.
Neill Blomkamp and Terri Tatchell on their Oscar nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay (DISTRICT 9):
Neill Blomkamp
Every aspiring filmmaker dreams of being nominated by the Academy, but when we began making District 9, none of us dared to think that our small film, shot in South Africa, with no well-known actors, could be Oscar nominated. And honestly, if it weren’t for Peter Jackson’s belief in the film, we wouldn’t be here today. I’m extremely gratified, excited, and humbled, and I’m also grateful to the Academy for recognizing so many of the talented people who helped make it a reality.
Terri Tatchell
I can’t begin to express the gratitude I feel for the many people responsible for making District 9 a film that the Academy members deemed worthy of this honour. Surrounded by the brilliant talents as I was, one can’t help but be raised higher and there is no doubt about it, this is as high as it gets! So I am forever indebted and grateful to Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens and Peter Jackson for being so very generous in sharing their genius for story with us. Thank you to the unbelievably talented Sharlto Copley who took our script and literally became Wikus, taking him to places far exceeding anything existing on the page. Thank you to Image Engine, The Embassy, Weta Digital and Weta Workshop for bringing the story to life with such incredible creativity and frightening realism. And thank you to my brilliant co-writer and director Neill Blomkamp, whose vision and brilliance never ceases to raise the bar higher than I dare dream.
What do you think of his talk and his Oscar chances?