Police to play anti-gun adverts before screening of new 1Day movie
POLICE chiefs are to issue an on-screen warning about gun crime before a controversial new movie about gang life in Birmingham is shown on the big screen.
Two city cinemas have refused to show the movie l 1Day, which tells the story of two rival gangs caught up in the underworld of drugs and guns.
The movie was filmed around Birmingham and stars local actors.
Now police say they will place an advert ahead of any other screenings to highlight the ‘real dangers inherent in gang-related criminality’.
The advert features an illuminated headstone with the catchline: “Once upon a time, they were dying to join a gang.”
Details of the advert emerged as police were called to a screening of the movie at the Custard Factory, Digbeth, on Thursday evening for “health and safety reasons” – due to concerns over the number of people attending.
A force spokesman said: “The atmosphere was very positive and peaceful and the screening went ahead as planned.”
But a week before the movie’s general release, the force has become embroiled in a row with makers over claims cinemas had been advised by police not to screen it.
Cineworld said it would not be showing the film. And the Odeon said it had also taken the decision, following police advice.
But the force said it would ‘never seek to act as a censor’.
And it added it had not officially approached the cinemas.
It is now believed an officer may have expressed a personal view over the film when talking to cinema bosses.
It was initially feared the film, made on the streets of Handsworth, could spark tensions among the city’s rival gangs. While those fears have now diminished, Asst Chief Constable Suzette Davenport, said she felt part of the film ‘glamorises’ gang life and failed to show the ‘tragedy and trauma’.
The film’s writer-director, Penny Woolcock, said: “The film shows how people get sucked into that life and it clearly spells out the consequences, which is people end up dead or in prison.
“The film absolutely does not glamorise that lifestyle. It has a clear moral message.”
A force spokesman added: “Our general advice is for individual cinemas to make a responsible and informed decision based upon local circumstances and taking into account the views of their local communities.”
