BLUE STORY: FILM REGULATION

Vue chain pulls Blue Story screenings after violence at Birmingham cinema

Vue, which has 91 cinemas in the UK and Ireland, announced yesterday that it was cancelling all viewings of Blue Story until further notice.

A spokesman said: “We can confirm a decision was made to remove the film from our cinemas. The safety and welfare of our customers and staff is always our first priority. We are saddened to have had to take this step, which is not made lightly, particularly as the film itself seeks to strike a strong message against violence.”

Some Showcase cinemas also said that they were cancelling showings.Blue Story, backed by Paramount Films and BBC Films, was written and directed by Andrew Onwubolu, a rapper and YouTube star. The film, which received a three-star review in The Times, has been described as a “hard-hitting crime drama” about two young boys from rival postcode areas in south London who become friends only to later become gang rivals. It depicts gang culture “with terrifying ferocity”, according to the Times reviewer.

Onwubolu, also known as Rapman, who grew up in south London and is now signed to Jay Z’s label, RocNation, said in response to the ban that he was “sending love to all those involved in the violence at Star City in Birmingham. It’s truly unfortunate that a small group of people can ruin things for everybody. Blue Story is a film about love not violence.”

He added: “There were also a few incidents earlier this year with the release of Joker. It’s always unfortunate, but I hope that the blame is placed with the individuals and not an indictment of the film itself.

“I pray that we can all learn to live with love and treat each other with tolerance and respect.”

West Midlands police said that the force received a 999 call from security at about 5pm. Dozens of officers arrived to find the group inside and outside the cinema complex armed with machetes, engaging in “pockets of fighting”. Police issued a dispersal order to move crowds on and arrest those who refused. The area was clear by 9pm.

Fans of the film commented on the irony of banning a film seeking to show the horrors of gang violence. The writer Jude Blay Yawson said: “Blue Story being removed from Vue cinema shows a lack of insight that people in such positions have regarded the content, its community and culture.”