Question 1

What real-life incident inspired Joe Cornish to write and direct Attack the Block?

Accepted Answer

Joe Cornish was inspired after being mugged one night, noticing his young assailants were as scared as he was, which led him to research their lives.

Question 2

How did Joe Cornish incorporate authentic dialogue from youth research into the script?

Accepted Answer

During research, a girl said she wouldn't touch an alien creature to avoid getting chlamydia, and that quote went straight into the script, with many lines taken directly from such interviews.

Question 3

Which film festivals featured Attack the Block in 2011?

Accepted Answer

The film was featured at the Los Angeles Film Festival, SXSW Film Festival, and Locarno International Film Festival in 2011.

Question 4

What practical effects were used for the alien creatures instead of relying solely on CG?

Accepted Answer

The filmmakers used practical effects like a petite woman in a creature suit for the smaller female alien, a puppet-type head for attack shots, and an animatronic mask with glowing teeth, enhancing rather than replacing with CG.

Question 5

What is the central conflict in Attack the Block?

Accepted Answer

A teen gang in a South London housing estate teams up with other residents to protect their neighborhood from a terrifying alien invasion.

Question 6

What real-life mugging experience inspired the writer/director to create Attack the Block?

Accepted Answer

Writer/director Joe Cornish was inspired after being mugged one night, noticing his young assailants were as scared as he was, which led him to research their lives.

Question 7

Which film did Joe Cornish cite as an inspiration when imagining an alien invasion in South London?

Accepted Answer

Cornish has stated that watching Signs (2002) and imagining what would happen if it took place in south London inspired Attack the Block.

Question 8

How did the filmmakers approach the creature effects to maintain practical authenticity?

Accepted Answer

They used CG only when necessary to enhance practical effects. The creatures involved suits, puppets, and animatronics with glowing teeth achieved by mechanical servos.

Question 9

Which festivals included Attack the Block in their 2011 lineups?

Accepted Answer

The film was featured at the Los Angeles Film Festival, SXSW Film Festival, and Locarno International Film Festival in 2011.

Question 10

What research method did Joe Cornish use to incorporate authentic dialogue from youth into the script?

Accepted Answer

Cornish interviewed kids in youth groups, asking what weapons they'd use against aliens, and directly used quotes like a girl's chlamydia remark in the script.

Attack the Block

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