UPDATE (Nov. 27): Both Showcase and Vue have lifted their bans on Blue Story, adding that they would show the film but with extra security.
Vue said in a statement:
In an interview with VICE, a spokesperson for Showcase also said that they would be lifting their ban:
Original story below.
This week, Rapman's cinematic debut, Blue Story, opened to £1.3 million, placing it at No. 3 at the UK box office, Variety reports.
But what was supposed to be a triumphant moment for Rapman and independent cinema has now been tarnished after right-wing press blamed the film for a mass brawl at a Birmingham cinema.
The fight, which took place on Saturday night (Nov. 23) during a showing of Frozen II at Star City cinema in Birmingham, involved over a 100 people and police have since recovered two machetes and a knife from the area. Since the fight, cinema chains Vue and Showcase have pulled the film and are refusing to show it.
West Midlands Police have made it clear they have no reason to believe the incident was connected to the film, its content or its subject matter. Chief Supt Steve Graham has said that no one from the police asked either chain to cancel screenings. A police spokesperson also said it wasn't clear whether any of the violence took place inside any of the actual screens.
But the right-wing press has pushed a connection extensively online, also going to great lengths to remind us the film had BBC involvement.
The Twitter backlash to this agenda has been swift, with many accusing Vue cinemas of racism and racial profiling.
Be sure to catch the movie at other supporting cinemas.
