District 9 is causing some turmoil in the African country of Nigeria due to the portrayal of Nigerians in the film. The Associated Press is reporting that Nigerian government officials are protesting the image of the Nigerian people that Neil Blomkamp’s break-out hit promotes. The issue has become large enough that the Nigerian Information Minster, Dora Akunyili, has “asked” cinemas in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria, to cease screenings. Ms. Akunyili has even requested that Sony Studios produce an apology as well as edit out all reference to Nigeria.
How exactly can all references to Nigeria be edited out? I’m not really sure, and I hope that the Nigerian government doesn’t actually believe that is a possibility. Honestly, I would really like to get the opinion of Prince Okoye, the Nigerian Prince who I helped out financially a few months ago, on the matter. I’m still waiting on him to deposit that money into my account. He won’t return my emails anymore and I’m actually starting to think he never meant to pay me back. That’s the last time I try to help out a deposed African monarch.
Source: New York Times
In other news io9 has revealed some pretty sweet concept art of the ship from District 9.
Do you think District 9 deserves this blacklash in Nigeria?