3. DISTRICT 9 (U.S. Theatrical Poster)
Distributor: Columbia Pictures
Tagline: YOU ARE NOT WELCOME HERE
Comments: The marketing team of Godzilla (1998) take note, this is how its done. What that film had going for it was billboards plastered on buses, buildings and whatever else their ridiculous marketing budget allowed for – this campaign saw various parasite warnings (here) but it’s the final one-sheet that amped up the curiosity factor by housing some of the secrets of the narrative. District 9 pulls it off with one image, commencing with the graphic drawing outline of the alien, which isn’t enough to give away what they really look like, but enough to suggest they’re freaky. The bullet ridden poster with the tagline underneath it and the barb wire behind tells us there’s conflict and they’ve been here a while, and of course the ship in the background is a visual treat that appeals to fans of Independence Day without overselling it so as not wrongfully manipulate that audience. Of course, Peter Jackson’s name at the top gives the whole thing some credibility, but it’s an after-thought. Nicely done.
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