‘Blue Story’ returns to Vue cinemas following controversial ban

“We’ve listened to the community and we know that this is an important movie for people to see.”

The chief of Vue cinemas has announced that Blue Story will return to its cinemas following the controversial decision to pull the film from its listings.

The film, which tells the story of two childhood friends who become involved in rival gangs, was withdrawn from the cinema following a disturbance at the Birmingham Star City cinema complex last week (November 23).

The incident, in which several police officers were injured following reports of youths brandishing machetes in the cinema, lead to the film being banned at all Vue and Showcase cinemas.

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Whilst Blue Story was later reinstated at Showcase cinemas, the ban remained in place at Vue. The decision was met with anger from the film’s director, Andrew Onwubolu aka Rapman, who said there was “no connection” between the incident and the film.

He later said there could be “hidden reasons” for the decision to pull the film as fans accused the chain’s decision of being racially motivated.

Rapman
Rapman on the set of ‘Blue Story’.

Now, the founder and chief executive of Vue International, Tim Richards, has spoken about the company’s decision to reinstate what he described as an “important film.”

“Birmingham was part of our decision, but just a part of it,” he said. “I have spent 20 years of my life supporting and promoting diversity and British and independent film.

“To call me personally or corporately racist is very, very disturbing and with no merit at all. Racism does not enter into the equation at all. Never has. It’s the opposite.”

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Richards said the company had “agonised” over the decision but chose to prioritise the safety of staff and customers after they alleged 25 incidents occurred at 16 cinemas following the film’s release.

However, when NME contacted the British multinational, they were unable to give specific details of the incidents.

The decision to ban the movie was met with scepticism from independent cinemas last week following claims of the incidents.

Catriona Mahmoud, Marketing Manager at Screen25 in South Norwood told NME: “It seems like such a ridiculous thing for Vue to do… If they’re not able to give an example of it or if they’re not willing to release that information, it kind of sounds like they’re just trying to justify their actions.”

Other independent cinemas also criticised the move. “I think maybe they’ve overreacted,” said Sunil Chauhan, Programmer for Deptford Cinema in Lewisham, where large amounts of Blue Story are set. “It would be fine to pull it from perhaps one cinema, but even then it seems a bit unfair… It seems a bit disproportionate, a bit of an overreaction.”

Isra Al Kassi, Marketing and Programme Manager at Catford Mews independent cinema in Lewisham, agreed: “We find it excessive, and a very rushed decision, and it’s a shame because it’s now tainted the perception and intentions of the film.”

Richards has said there is a “game plan” to ensure the film was reinstated at all Vue cinemas by the weekend.

“We’ve listened to the community and we know that this is an important movie for people to see.”

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