Blue Story, the critically acclaimed feature film written and directed by Rapman, has been added to BBC iPlayer after being banned from some UK cinemas in 2019. The film, which holds a 93% Rotten Tomatoes score, follows a gang feud that destroys the long-standing friendship of a group of south London friends.
Plot and Cast
Blue Story stars Stephen Odubola (Boiling Point) and Khali Best (EastEnders). It tells the story of Timmy, a shy teenager from Deptford who attends school in Peckham, where he meets Marco, a charismatic local lad. Despite coming from opposing postcodes, the two form a deep friendship that is torn apart by gang violence.
Critical Acclaim
One Rotten Tomatoes critic described the film as "absolutely beautiful," adding, "need a sequel now." Another reviewer wrote: "It's brutal, raw, and often hard to watch - and hard to understand at times. However, it is striking and will stay with you well after you watch it. The storytelling, with narrative hip hop interludes from Rapman is totally unique and fresh." An IMDB user awarded the film ten stars, stating: "It's the best film I've seen in a long time... I found the film very moving. Rapman is unbelievably talented."
Cinema Ban and Controversy
Blue Story was pulled from Vue cinemas in 2019 following a violent incident in Birmingham. Rapman, whose real name is Andrew Owubolu, insisted there was "no connection" between his film and the incident. "They were just in a cinema apparently for Frozen [2] but then they pinned it on Blue Story," he told BBC News. "And then you start thinking, is there hidden reasons there? Is there a colour thing?"
Vue rejected any suggestion of racial motivation, with a spokesperson saying: "No. Categorically not." The chain explained that the decision followed 25 separate incidents reported by staff involving customers watching or attempting to watch the film. Vue's founder and CEO Tim Richards disputed claims that those involved in disturbances were attending screenings of Frozen 2, calling such reports "simply not true." He stressed that the company "do not condone any form of violence, abuse of our staff or customers or discrimination in any form."
Availability
Blue Story is now streaming on BBC iPlayer.
