Second cinema stops showings of film after mass brawl in Birmingham
Two cinemas have stopped showing the film Blue Story at its venues after a mass brawl at a screening in Birmingham.
Now, Cinema operator Vue said it has withdrawn the gang film Blue Story because more than 25 "significant incidents" were reported in 16 of its venues during the first 24 hours of its release.
In a statement, the company said: "The decision to withdraw Blue Story was not one taken lightly or without careful consideration of our experience across the country.
The film opened in 60 of our sites across the UK and Ireland on Friday November 22, but during the first 24 hours of the film over 25 significant incidents were reported and escalated to senior management in 16 separate cinemas.
This is the biggest number we have ever seen for any film in a such a short time frame".
Gangs of young people, some armed with machetes, clashed at the Star City cinema on Saturday evening.
Seven police officers were injured in the violence after they were called to Star City, in the Nechells area of the city, shortly after 5.30pm on Saturday.
Six teenagers, including four 14-year-olds and a 13-year-old girl, were arrested in connection with the disorder and have reportedly been bailed by police.
Showcase Cinemas has now pulled the film from the listings of its 21 venues across the UK.
They have followed cinema chain Vue, which runs Star City, who said it will no longer be showing the film at any of its 91 UK cinemas
The move came as Blue Story's writer and director, Andrew Onwubolu, condemned the incident and said that his film was about "love not violence".
Onwubolu, also known as Rapman, described the incident as "truly unfortunate".
The film focuses on two friends from different south London postcodes, on rival sides of a street war.
It is rated 15 for very strong language, strong violence, threat, sex, and drug misuse.
Onwubolu added: "I pray that we can all learn to live with love and treat each other with tolerance and respect."
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