District 9 left a mark on sci-fi cinema with its gritty, realistic approach to extraterrestrial life. Neill Blomkamp used a unique visual style to tell a story about displacement that feels grounded through its pseudo-documentary format.
This quiz looks at the production hurdles, the specific visual effects that brought the aliens to life, and the casting choices that defined the film. You will see questions about the mockumentary techniques and the social themes baked into the story.
Think you know this movie well? After you finish, look at these pages on sci-fi and fantasy, visual effects, and African cinema.
Which 2009 science fiction film featured real-life residents of South African neighborhoods who were interviewed for the movie?
District 9
District 9
Chappie
Chappie
Elysium
Elysium
Avatar
Avatar
What was the reported budget for the film District 9?
$30 million
$30 million
$100 million
$100 million
$50 million
$50 million
$10 million
$10 million
Which acclaimed filmmaker served as a producer for the Neil Blomkamp directed film known for its mockumentary style?
Ridley Scott
Ridley Scott
Peter Jackson
Peter Jackson
James Cameron
James Cameron
Christopher Nolan
Christopher Nolan
In which South African city does the story of the alien refugees in District 9 primarily take place?
Johannesburg
Johannesburg
Durban
Durban
Cape Town
Cape Town
Pretoria
Pretoria
Much of the dialogue between the main character Wikus van de Merwe and the non-actor interviewees was achieved through what method?
Spontaneous storytelling
Spontaneous storytelling
Scripted rehearsals
Scripted rehearsals
Method acting exercises
Method acting exercises
Improvised dialogue
Improvised dialogue
Before District 9, director Neill Blomkamp was attached to direct a feature film adaptation of which popular video game franchise?
Mass Effect
Mass Effect
Fallout
Fallout
Half-Life
Half-Life
Halo
Halo
Which major corporation held the rights to the video game property Blomkamp was initially set to adapt?
Microsoft
Microsoft
Valve
Valve
Sony
Sony
Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts
Regarding the future of the District 9 cinematic franchise, which of the following is true?
A prequel focused on the arrival of the ship
A prequel focused on the arrival of the ship
A complete sequel titled District 10
A complete sequel titled District 10
A television series set in the same universe
A television series set in the same universe
No sequel was ever produced or released despite discussions
No sequel was ever produced or released despite discussions
Who is the protagonist of the film exposed to alien biotechnology?
Christopher Johnson
Christopher Johnson
Koobus Venter
Koobus Venter
Wikus van de Merwe
Wikus van de Merwe
Little Leo
Little Leo
What cinematographic technique is used throughout the film to mimic documentary footage?
Silent film aesthetic
Silent film aesthetic
Film noir
Film noir
Found footage style
Found footage style
High-fantasy animation
High-fantasy animation
What derogatory nickname are the extraterrestrial refugees in the film given?
Reptiles
Reptiles
Crabs
Crabs
Insects
Insects
Prawns
Prawns
Which actor, a friend of the director, starred as the lead character despite having minimal prior acting experience?
Sylvain Strike
Sylvain Strike
Sharlto Copley
Sharlto Copley
Jason Cope
Jason Cope
David James
David James
In the film’s timeline, how long had the alien spaceship been hovering over the city by the time the film’s main events occurred?
Three years
Three years
Twenty years
Twenty years
One hundred years
One hundred years
Fifty years
Fifty years
What is the name of the private military contractor tasked with managing the alien encampment?
GDF (Global Defense Force)
GDF (Global Defense Force)
UN (United Nations)
UN (United Nations)
ESA (Extraterrestrial Security Agency)
ESA (Extraterrestrial Security Agency)
MNU (Multi-National United)
MNU (Multi-National United)
What substance does the lead character inadvertently inhale that begins his transformation?
Technological chips
Technological chips
Black fluid
Black fluid
Alien eggs
Alien eggs
Glowing dust
Glowing dust
What is the primary material the aliens are desperately trying to collect to power their stranded craft?
Communication logs
Communication logs
Advanced weaponry
Advanced weaponry
The spaceship’s fuel
The spaceship’s fuel
A medical cure
A medical cure
How is the arrival of the alien ship in the film described?
As an act of war
As an act of war
After crashing from an unknown origin
After crashing from an unknown origin
Through a diplomatic mission
Through a diplomatic mission
By accident due to a mechanical failure
By accident due to a mechanical failure
What was the initial long-term plan the studio had for the film concept?
It was meant to lead into an episodic anthology
It was meant to lead into an episodic anthology
It was meant to be purely a short film
It was meant to be purely a short film
It was supposed to be a prequel to another film
It was supposed to be a prequel to another film
It was originally conceived as a trilogy
It was originally conceived as a trilogy
Beyond science fiction, the story of District 9 acts as an allegory for what historical system?
Communism
Communism
Colonialism
Colonialism
Feudalism
Feudalism
Apartheid
Apartheid
Which renowned visual effects house provided the creature and mechanical designs for the film?
Framestore
Framestore
Digital Domain
Digital Domain
Industrial Light & Magic
Industrial Light & Magic
Weta Workshop
Weta Workshop
What is the main driver behind the antagonistic actions of the private military corporation?
The illegal trade in technology
The illegal trade in technology
The military wanting to use alien guns
The military wanting to use alien guns
The humanitarian crisis
The humanitarian crisis
The environmental impact
The environmental impact
The film structure mimics the perspective of what kind of media creators?
Researchers
Researchers
Government officials
Government officials
Documentary filmmakers
Documentary filmmakers
Journalists
Journalists
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Great!
If you enjoyed this look at film production, you might also like our pages on troubled productions, cinematography, and documentary styles.
