With many contemporary science-fiction films, the talk is all about cool effects. Acting is an afterthought, if that. Not so with “District 9,” which, at its core, features a wrenching performance by Sharlto Copley as a generic middle-manager whom fate calls to be a reluctant hero. So it’s all the more remarkable that this is his first feature as an actor.
A Cape Town filmmaker/producer and a longtime friend of director Neill Blomkamp, Copley, 35, was hired by Blomkamp initially just for a test reel. Now, Copley is traveling the world with the film — and Hollywood’s knocking on his door.
So do you want to be an actor now?
I would love to do more characters. The acting part is the fun part of the job, you get the perks but you don’t get the stress the behind-the-scenes guys are going through. There are other challenges, physical and mental. You’ve got to bring your bit to the party. As much as the movie was incredibly grueling, it’s not nearly the same kind of stress as working behind the scenes.
Will you move to the United States?
Everybody’s telling me to come here. I would love to do more, but I wouldn’t mind if I didn’t. If it’s a character that resonates with me, then I’ll probably go for it. It’s an international business. You’re shooting everywhere now.
Are you surprised by the buzz “District 9” has generated?
I’ve known Neill for a long time, and I knew at some point he’s going to make a film that people will go crazy for. He was true to his vision as a filmmaker. I tried to be as true to the character and bring what I could to the process. That’s ultimately what people are responding to.
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Fast-Paised
District 9 (R) !!! 1/2
A sci-fi film with real vision comes around only slightly more often than actual alien invasions. “District 9,” the feature debut for director/co-writer Neill Blomkamp, is that rare, thrilling enterprise. The film centers on a near-futuristic world in which aliens live in Johannesburg slums. A government agent (Sharlto Copley, who looks like a less-imposing Christian Bale) becomes a fugitive after he begins turning into one of the creatures. With plenty of awesomely high-fivable action set-pieces, “District 9” grips like a vice, while unrolling several what-would-you-do situations with more humanity than the average monster movie. Still, bring someone who’s freaked out by bugs, and likes it.
MATT PAIS, METROMIX
