British chain Vue has pulled the gang film Blue Story from all its venues after a brawl among dozens of movie-goers, some of them apparently wielding machetes, erupted at a cinema in central England.
The fight broke out late on Saturday afternoon (local time) during a screening of the film at a multiplex in Birmingham, Britain's second-most populous city. The cinema was crowded with families out to catch Disney's Frozen 2 during its first weekend.
Chaos erupted after a gang reportedly armed with machetes and knives arrived at the theatre. Three of the weapons were seized by police.
Officers used Tasers to break up the fight and arrested five teenagers, three of them under 15 including a 13-year-old girl.
Seven officers were injured in the melee. More arrests are expected.
Blue Story, which premiered in London earlier this month, tells the story of two London friends whose lives are marred by gang violence. The film is directed by London-based filmmaker Andrew Onwubolu, known on YouTube as rap artist Rapman.
A Vue spokesman told the BBC that "we can confirm a decision was made to remove the film. The safety and welfare of our customers and staff is always our first priority."
A witness identified as Rachael Allison said she saw a young boy "crying on the floor with his mother" as fighting broke out.
"The police told everyone to leave the cinema as they held Taser guns in their hands and started to bring in guard dogs," Allison said.
Reuters
