What is Blomkamp's Elysium Really About?

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New plot synopsis reveals another allegory for segregation.

Apart from the film's star-studded cast and a statement claiming it would feature Anglo-Hispanic racial tensions, not much has been said about Neill Blomkamp's next major feature project Elysium. Now, however, the District 9 director has provided an official plot synopsis describing his new sci-fi pic:

"In the year 2159 two classes of people exist: the very wealthy who live on a pristine man-made space station called Elysium, and the rest, who live on an overpopulated, ruined Earth. Secretary Rhodes (Jodie Foster), a hard line government official, will stop at nothing to enforce anti-immigration laws and preserve the luxurious lifestyle of the citizens of Elysium. That doesn't stop the people of Earth from trying to get in, by any means they can. When unlucky Max (Matt Damon) is backed into a corner, he agrees to take on a daunting mission that if successful will not only save his life, but could bring equality to these polarized worlds."

Twitch Film notes that Foster's Secretary Rhodes is an obvious reference to British colonialist, diamond miner and very clear racist Cecil Rhodes. Not unlike District 9, it sounds like Elysium will be further exploring allegories relating to apartheid, specifically a comparison between the treatment of blacks in South Africa to Hispanics in America.

In addition to Damon and Foster, Elysium stars Wagner Moura, Sharlto Copley, William Fichtner and Diego Luna.