It's been just about 18 months since Neill Blomkamp followed up District 9 with Elysium, and in doing so left his native South Africa behind as a backdrop. Next weekend, however, he returns to theaters---and Johannesburg---with his new film, Chappie. Back is his friend and frequent collaborator Sharlto Copley, though in decidedly nonhuman form; Copley plays the titular robot, who's destined for a life as a licensed police droid but is kidnapped and given sentience by a scientist with a conscience (Dev Patel). There's little doubt that it's a Blomkamp production, with its equal emphasis given to action and philosophy (and major performances by the members of South African rap group Die Antwoord), but in this exclusive featurette, the director and cast break down the major notes of the film.
Chappie* opens nationwide March 6.*
