Alive in Joburg: A Neill Blomkamp Short Film

Alive in Joburg is a short film directed by Neill Blomkamp, who later went on to direct the full-length science fiction films District 9 and Elysium.

The film is a 2005 science fiction short film produced by Simon Hansen and Sharlto Copley in Canada, and released by Spy Films. The film explores themes of apartheid and is noted for its visual effects as well as its documentary-style imagery. Blomkamp’s 2009 feature film District 9, starring Copley, expands themes and elements from this short film and it’s easy to see the similarities between the themes and style of this short film and District 9.

Be sure to also check out Blomkamp’s other short films: Yellow, from 2006, and Tetra Vaal, made in 2004.