Rapman's "Blue Story" had a uphill battle from the beginning.
From the mixed review's when the trailer dropped, the knife crime epidemic continuing to rise,council's not allowing him to film in certain locations.
He was fighting for this film but many still supported him and on release the reviews were positive. But when it comes to "Black Films" they are judged not just on the content, critical and commercial reception. But the audience's behavior.
A massive brawl broke out in Birmingham at the Star City Multiplex. Reports say a groups of 100 teens were fighting in front of families queuing to see "Frozen 2" and some were carrying weapons.
This would be a traumatic event for anyone and no one deserves to see those scenes. Especially young children.
But the Vue banning the film nationwide is adding more fuel to the fire that films by black directors are treated differently by the industry.
Other films that explore similar themes are called gangster epics or serious criminal dramas.
The only difference is the cast and crew were black.
I've never seen the term "White gangster Film" but there are plenty films about them and are some of the most violent film's in history.
Rapman has consistently said this shouldn't be judged as just a hood movie, it's much deeper and the reviews seemed to support this claim.
But when executives and the media give these films their own genre terms like "Black Films" "Gang films" or just "Hood movies" and unfortunate incidents out of the directors control happen around the film's release.
It's easier to create a black directors and writers for any incidents that may occur. Effecting young UK black director's and actors the most.
Other major blockbusters have had even more tragic incidents but don't seem to gain this same treatment by the industry. "The Dark Knight" is a prime example.
When incidents like these happen, the punishments should be fair across the board.
Many of the young people arrested were too young to see the film as well. So where is the direct connection between the film and this mass brawl?
Furthermore, in the Guardian you can see that Chief Supt Steve Graham of West Midlands police said that the decision to stop screening the film was not based on official advice.
"We’ve made no recommendations to Vue at all,” he said. “If they choose to continue showing it, that’s a matter for them."
I do understand Vue had to take action.
In my view they should of suspended or banned it just at that location. Because now it looks like a isolated incident that you have added more fire too.
To all those still wanting to watch and support the film, it's currently playing at the ODEON and Cineworld but ultimately the question still remains, do we #boycottvue ?
Link towards The Guardian for source quote.
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