Rapman’s poignant film exposes the poverty, inequality and racism that contribute to gang warfare.
On Saturday evening, a fight broke out at the Vue cinema at the StarCity complex in north Birmingham. It was claimed that it had started at a screening of the new Rapman-direct film, Blue Story – centred on a postcode war between two gangs in south London – before spilling out into the main foyer area, where families were queuing to see Frozen 2. According to a BBC report, several of those involved held machetes.
In response, Vue decided to pull the film, citing a further 25 violent incidents that it claims have taken place at screenings across the country. Showcase cinemas followed suit. The decision has since been reversed by Vue, which will continue screening the film – albeit with increased security – thanks to pressure from director Rapman, who has questioned the credibility of the cinema’s claims given a lack of photographic or substantive evidence. It’s hard not to share his scepticism. Tense as the events in Birmingham were, Blue Story exposes the poverty, inequality and racism that contribute to gang warfare, and stands as one of the most poignant and sobering British films I’ve seen in years.
Source: By blaming Blue Story for violence, we ignore the reality it reflects