The controversial movie - District-9
The infamous film, District 9, may have been banned from Nigeria movie Houses, the film still makes the top ten in the world of famous movies and, Sony Entertainment, the South Africa’s producer of the film still makes a fortune across the world.
The infamous film, District 9, may have been banned from Nigeria movie Houses, the film still makes the top ten in the world of famous movies and, Sony Entertainment, the South Africa’s producer of the film still makes a fortune across the world.
Nigeria had repelled an attempt to show the contemptuous film which had demeaned Nigeria and portrayed her citizens as gangsters and cannibals.
The film went further to insult Nigeria’s former Head of state as it entrenched Obesandjo’s name as one of the main characters in an apparent stuck up fingers to dare Nigeria and her citizens.
In one scene, Obesandjo tries to cut off and eat the arm of the film’s protagonist, sucking his blood in an attempt to regain his power.
More, Sony also ran an advert for its new Play Station 3 ’slim’ model. In the promotional advert for the PS, a spokesperson had said that one ‘can’t trust everything they read on the Internet… if I did I would be a Nigerian millionaire by now,” in an apparent reference to Nigerians as scams and hardcore criminals.
Information Minister, Dora Akunyili and other government officials had kicked against the views on both films.
In reacting, the government had made a statement as follows: “The government sees this as an attempt by Sony Corporation to undermine Nigeria’s business interest around the world. This insinuation is in bad faith and unacceptable.
The government and the good people of Nigeria reject this unwarranted attack on the reputation and image of the country.
The Science Fiction movie was produced by Sony Entertainment International and had been screened across the world making million of Dollars.
In the United States alone, the movie capped up about US$37million (Thirty Seven Million US Dollars) as it debuted in the last weekend of August while its showing in Britain netted millions of Pounds.
“The acclaimed sci-fi movie District 9 topped the British box office over the weekend, Screen International said on Tuesday. The story of a malnourished alien race transferred to a Johannesburg township, with its inescapable apartheid-era echoes, earned £2.2m and knocked horror movie The Final Destination down into second place, claimed an International report.
However, In an apparent about turn to appease Nigeria and Nigerians, an apology was offered while the text line on the Play Station advert was removed and promptly changed and weaved on the world. Hear the statement from the producers:
“It has come to our attention that a recent TV advertisement for PlayStation may have offended some members of the Nigerian community,” said Sony in a statement. “We never intended to create a situation that would upset anyone, and we have taken action to immediately remove the advertisement from the air. We apologise to anyone this may have offended.”
The controversial segment in the advert has been replaced, with the salesman now saying: “You can’t believe everything you read on the internet – that’s how World War I started.”
A cross section of Nigerians saw the apology as an after-thought.
Henry Adenugba who resides in London said:” We seem to be crying over this because many Nigerians are very angry especially with such setting coming from South Africa and not from the hardcore white country. It means that the intention was to deliberately bastardise Nigeria for money Nigeria should suing Sony if she wanted the impression shed off.
According to Bolu adesoji, a fortune has been made according to reports. A conscientious Sony should compensate Nigeria because a former Head of State had been dragged down and humiliated, otherwise, Sony should be sent packing from Nigeria.
Cecilia Nwogu however has a different view:” The more we show reactions, the more we make this film popular. We know whom we are anyway. We have lived with this sought of molestation for long, so why are we moved by this particular one. Many who love Nigeria love her for their own gains. Let’s change our ways and make a real re-branding for our lovely country.