THE director of gang film Blue Story today revealed he felt "bullied" after his movie was banned by Vue.

Andrew Onwubolu, otherwise known as Rapman, questioned if there were "hidden reasons" behind the ban enforced after a 100-strong machete mob unleashed chaotic scenes outside a Birmingham cinema.

Six teens – including a girl as young as 13 – were arrested after the violence unfolded in front of terrified families outside Star City on Friday night.

Seven cops were hurt as they tried to control the chaos, with two machetes and a knife recovered.

But writer and director Rapman told the BBC: "They were just in a cinema apparently for Frozen [2], but then they pinned it on Blue Story."

And he insisted there was "no connection" between the brawl and his movie.

He added: "And then you start thinking, is there hidden reasons there? What's the owner like? Has he got an issue with young urban youth? Is he prejudiced? Does he believe that this film brings a certain type? Is there a colour thing?

"You start thinking of all these things, and it was an upsetting time."

Around 25 "significant incidents" unfolded at Vue cinemas around the country, all involving people either watching, buying tickets for, going in to watch or leaving screenings of Blue Story.

The movie features two pals caught up in a postcode gang war in South London and contains guns, swords and drugs. It includes flashy music video-style interludes.

Vue founder and chief executive Tim Richards said he hadn't seen such an issue affecting so many cinemas over his 30 year career.

He said they had reviewed each incident but were "still not satisfied the risk had been reduced to an acceptable level".

BLUE STORY

BLUE Story is a feature adaption of a YouTube series that follows two young friends who become rivals in a street war.

The film is written and directed by Andrew Onwubolu, who had previously told the story in a web series called Shiro's Story.

Pals Timmy (Stephen Odubola) and Marco (Micheal Ward) are friends whose days are spent at school and joking around.

But then one of Timmy's friends beats up Marco – causing a backlash from a Peckham gang.

The boys are then pulled apart, with their lives filled with guns and knives.

Previously speaking about the film's message, Onwubolu – otherwise known as Rapman – said he wanted people to understand how a "good kid" could lose their way.

He told the BBC: "I want people who see the film to learn that these kids are not all spawns of Satan.

"They didn't come from child abuse or neglectful mothers. What kids go through in the school playground is so intense, it all starts there."

The film is rated 15 for very strong language, strong violence, threat, sex, and drug misuse.

One witness described the night as "one of the scariest moments of [her] life", as she queued to watch the new Frozen film with her daughter.

Choleigh McGuire said: "Armed police come, Tasers come, all of the people that were fighting ran off into the cinema, hiding. I am shaking."

And others said they couldn't believe their eyes as the youths began brawling and cops descended with Tasers drawn.

A 14-year-old boy was the latest to be arrested after the brawl in Birmingham on Friday night.

The teen was arrested on suspicion of violent disorder after an image circulated on social media showed a number of youths with one carrying a machete.

Four teenagers who were arrested last night on suspicion of assaulting police, and a fifth held for obstructing police, have now been released on bail with strict conditions.

While in custody, the five, aged 13 to 19, were further arrested on suspicion of violent disorder.

Their bail conditions ban them leaving home at night, and banning them from Star City and any cinema in the UK.

Anyone with images, video or information about last night's disorder should get in touch via Live Chat at west-midlands.police.uk, via 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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