Yesterday, I put up a question on my Facebook status, You tell me: Was the 'District 9' movie insulting to Nigerians? I got no response whatsoever, and let me tell you, that was very unusual. My Facebook statuses never go without being replied. So I posed the question differently, Nobody wants to comment on the District 9 movie. What if I ask about your favorite position during sex then? Aha!! I am proud to say that I now have 23 comments ... and still counting. Of course, I don't really care to know of anyone's favorite sex position - although I did learn of some positions, namely: the foggy style, the mirror of pleasing, the amazon, and the trapeze - but I got them talking about District 9.
Unfortunately, this post is not about sex positions either. Despite your preference, it's about District 9. Read and digest carefully...as this is what we will be discussing on the talk show tomorrow morning. If you have seen the movie, then you know why it's such a big issue. If you have not seen the movie, you've probably heard of it. If you have not heard of it, you'll thank me later - hopefully.
So at some point during District 9, Nigerian gangsters were involved. The gangsters were headed by a man called Obesandjo, although the Nigerian critics of the movie swear that the man is actually called Obasanjo, and he was, of course, named after our former president whom we all love very, very much. Other complaints are listed below:
- The Nigerian characters were not Nigerian enough - or at all. I actually read this complaint on Funmi Iyanda's blog. She's quite passionate about it.
- Someone told me the writer and director of the movie, Neill Blomkamp is a racist.
- The Nigerians were portrayed as cannibals (because Obesandjo ate aliens).
- It's unrealistic for a Nigerian gangster to have a female witch doctor because "we are too blatantly sexist." This, too, I read on Funmi Iyanda's blog.
- Nigerians were portrayed as scammers ... and we all know that no Nigerian will ever, EVER do something that low!
- Nigerians were portrayed as people who are into paranormal, diabolical things. Again, we all know that we will never stoop so low!
- The Nigerian females were taking part in inter-species prostitution.
- The movie is owned by Sony - the makers of the ad that hit Nigerians below the belt. **gasp** It must be a conspiracy.
There are probably more complaints, but it's past 12am, and this is all I have been able to remember at this time of the day night. In case you didn't know, Dr. (Mrs) Dora Akunyili, our honorable Minister of Information, the woman who has been proudly rebranding Nigeria had the movie banned in Nigeria ... because well ... we wouldn't want to corrupt our children with such filth! (My words, not hers). You've probably figured out by now that lots of Nigerians have boycotted the movie. It's during times like this that true love shows. Who would have known that Nigeria loves Obesandjo this much???
Have I written enough to get you thinking? Good. The show will be LIVE tomorrow at 10am U.S. EST [3pm GMT/Nigerian time]. I have a wonderful, wonderful co-host, Nonso. He's my go-to guy for everything comic-bookish and sci-fi. I have never met anyone who is this crazy about this stuff. So yes, he's my co-host. I have a feeling that Dr. (Mrs) Dora Akunyili will not like what he has to say. Maybe she'll call into the show??
Oh. It has come to my attention that in my quest to remain objective on the show, I have slowly but surely stopped talking on my own talk show. Crazy, I know. Apparently, all I do is take phone calls. Well, that's over. Starting from tomorrow, I will talk... darn it!! I have a mouth, and it's not afraid to speak. **Swallows gulp of spit** If anyone knows the SSS in Nigeria, please tell them not to capture me when I land. Tell them I did not mean whatever I am about to say tomorrow, but if they insist, tell them Nonso (my co-host) said it. I have his address, phone number, and picture.
To listen to the show tomorrow (at 10am U.S. EST/3pm Nigerian/GMT time), click HERE. Call 1.646.929.1905 anytime during the show (which lasts for 90 minutes) to join the conversation. E-mail radio@verastic.com with your comments and questions; I'll read them out during the show. Also, please, please, please vote in the poll. It's on the top of the right sidebar, and no, I won't be able to tell who you are or what you voted for. Thank you.
Here's a little piece of literature about Nigeria and District 9 that is sure to touch you - I'm not sure how. Click HERE to read.
And lastly, enjoy this video. Again, it's something that is sure to touch you.... and I don't know how either. Let's reconvene tomorrow and discuss it, shall we? :-)
Disclaimer: I am not sleeping with Neill Blomkamp. Neither has he paid me. I won't mind if he does.... pay me, that is.
