District 9 raced to the #1 position at the South African Box-Office, taking over R2 million on its opening weekend.

Propelled by overwhelming buzz and local pride, District 9 opened on-a-par with other, Hollywood blockbusters such as Terminator Salvation and exceeded the opening weekend of previous local successes, such as Tsotsi and White Wedding.

DISTRICT 9 was directed by Neill Blomkamp and stars Sharlto Copley as the unlikely and reluctant hero, Wikus van der Merwe. DISTRICT 9 was shot on location in Chiawelo, Soweto last year. Michael S. Murphey and Steven St. Arnaud of Kalahari Pictures were the Supervising Producers.

Cape Town based Sharlto Copley comments: “I am extremely grateful for the way the South-African public is responding to the film. It was very moving for me to see SA audiences laughing, crying and at times even clapping at the nuances in the film. Thank you all for your support SA!.”

DISTRICT 9 also features Jason Cope, Kenneth Nkosi, Vanessa Haywood, Mandla Gaduka, Eugene Khumbanyiwa, David James, Louis Minnaar, Sylvaine Strike and many other recogniseable South-African actors.

The film was first showcased at Comic-Con in July 2009 in the United States and has been conquering the box-office and garnering rave reviews everywhere it’s released to date. It continues its extraordinary run at the US box-office, where it is on track to join the $100 million “blockbuster” list for 2009.

Peter Jackson presents in association with TriStar Pictures and Block/Hanson a Wingnut Films Production, a film by Neill Blomkamp, DISTRICT 9. Directed by Neill Blomkamp. Written by Neill Blomkamp and Terri Tatchell. Produced by Peter Jackson and Carolynne Cunningham. Co-Producer is Philippa Boyens. Executive Producers are Bill Block and Ken Kamins. Co-Executive Producers are Paul Hanson and Elliot Ferwerda. Director of Photography is Trent Opaloch. Production Designer is Philip Ivey. Editor is Julian Clarke. Music by Clinton Shorter. Music Supervisor is Michelle Belcher. Complete credits available on request.

DISTRICT 9 is distributed by Ster-Kinekor Distribution in South-Africa on behalf of Sony Pictures Releasing International.

WHAT THE CRITICS SAID:

“Sharlto Copley is excellent as Wikus. District 9 will most probably become a beacon in this genre.”

LAETITIA POPLE (BEELD) 28 AUGUST

“Very intelligent filmmaking indeed.”

THERESA SMITH (THE STAR) 28 AUGUST

“The elements of chase thriller, outsider story, icky horror, science fiction human drama are exceptionally well coordinated and up to a riveting narrative.”

SHAUN DE WAAL (MAIL AND GUARDIAN) 28 AUGUST

“District 9 is quite simply the first proper South-African blockbuster. An excellent and thoughtful alien action film.”

EDWARD-JOHN BOTTOMLEY (CHANNEL 24) 28 AUGUST

“Smart savvy filmm-making of the highest order.”

KIRK HONEYCUTT (CAPE TIMES) 28 AUGUST

“Its a job well done. The setting was carefully and well thought-out and the film was edited very tightly. Very pleasing indeed.”

XOLANI SHEZI (SOWETAN) 28 AUGUST

“District 9 is the most startling and rewarding movie of the year.”

BARRY RONGE (RATHER RONGE/ SUNDAY TIMES NEWSPAPER) 30 AUGUST

“District 9 is a winner. Everything you heard about it is true. Its funky, its cool, its clever, its satyrical and its South-African.”

LEON VAN NIEROP (RSG) 28 AUGUST

“This grossly engrossing speculative fiction bears Jackson's blood-splattered fingerprints but also heralds first-time feature director Neill Blomkamp as a nimble talent to watch.”

JUSTIN CHANG (VARIETY MAGAZINE) 27 JULY 2009

“A genuinely original science fiction film that grabs you immediately, not letting go until the final shot. DISTRICT 9 is smart, savvy filmmaking of the highest order.”

KIRK HONEYCUTT (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER) 27 JULY 2009

“Mister Blomkamp is a fine director who cut his teeth on commercials and music videos, and at the knee of director and special effects guru Peter Jackson. Between the two of them (Jackson’s company was employed for the effects) they’ve come up with the best CGI effects film to date.”

TIM COGSHELL (BOX OFFICE MAGAZINE) 29 JULY 2009

For more information on DISTRICT 9 visit the official website http://www.sonypictures.net/movies/district9/

For official press kit and publicity stills visit http://www.skpictures.co.za

Posted on August 31 2009