A UK cinema chain is defending its decision to pull gang-warfare film “Blue Story” from theaters, hitting back at accusations of bias and saying it documented more than 25 “significant incidents” at theaters within the first day of the film’s opening.
Vue said a nationwide ban was appropriate after a massive brawl involving armed youths erupted outside a screening of “Blue Story” in Birmingham Saturday.
Showcase Cinemas announced Monday it would also be pulling the BBC-backed film, telling CNN that the safety of moviegoers was of the “utmost importance.” However, on Monday afternoon a Showcase spokesperson said the chain was reinstating screenings of the film “with increased security protocols.”
The ban follows the brawl at Birmingham’s Star City multiplex, where six teenagers, aged 13 to 19, were arrested following a riot involving up to 100 youths. Two machetes were seized during the disorder and seven officers were injured, West Midlands Police said.“Blue Story,” co-produced by BBC Films and Paramount Pictures UK, tells the story of two friends who find themselves on rival sides of a neighborhood gang war in south London. It’s a timely film, as a rising number of young people in the UK are falling victim to gang violence and knife-related crime.
Source: Blue Story: Cinema chain defends pulling gang film from UK theaters – CNN