March 01
GREATER Union has pulled an Australian movie about Lebanese gang violence in Sydney within days of its release after brawls erupted outside screenings.
The film's distributor, Australian Film Syndicate, said Greater Union informed them of its decision to end screenings of The Combination last night following violence outside cinemas.
The Combination, made in Sydney's multi-cultural western suburbs, deals with violence and racism among young white and Middle Eastern Australians.
The cinema chain withdrew the film from four key cinemas after violence flared among patrons in Parramatta and Liverpool on Saturday, although the decision may be reviewed.
The film's director David Field, said the move was a crushing blow.
"We've worked so hard, had so little sleep in recent weeks, we're devastated,'' he said today.
"I'd hoped to get nine hours sleep last night. At midnight I got a text message that they were pulling the film.''
He denied the incidents were connected to race or ethnic conflict.
Greater Union said on Sunday the safety of staff and patrons was paramount.
"Maintaining the safety and security of our staff and patrons is our main concern and priority,'' Greater Union general manager of operations Robert Flynn said in a statement.
"As such, a decision has been made to suspend all sessions of this film within NSW.''
AFS was also upset by the decision.
"The first Australian film to be released in 2009 is experiencing exceptional box office in its first week of release, which makes this unprecedented move all the more devastating for everyone involved, especially for the audiences that are now going to miss out,'' AFS spokeswoman Allanah Zitserman said in a statement.
Although we do not support the decision by Greater Union to pull the film from its NSW sites, we respect and understand their position.''
Despite the Greater Union ban, the film was showing in 27 other locations nationwide, including Hoyts and independents.
However the four cinemas which withdrew the movie - Sydney's George Street, Liverpool, Parramatta and Burwood - were located in the key target market where most of the box office takings were expected, Ms Zitserman told AAP.
Mr Field hoped a way could be found to reverse the decision.
"It's a beautiful film, it doesn't advocate violence, I hope people can calm down and I'm hoping we can find a way to amend the situation.''
Screen Australia CEO Dr Ruth Harley said the film was still playing in many other theatres and she encouraged people to see it.
"I believe it's a good film that's had terrific reviews and is a film of our times,'' she said.
''...we would encourage people to see it.''
Greater Union spokeswoman Melissa Kesby said the chain was investigating complaints and the film may re-open at a later date.
"If we feel that our staff and patrons will be in a safe environment then yes, we will," she told the ABC.
Keysar Trad, the president of the Islamic Friendship Association, said there was no need to suspend the movie.
"From what I know, the incidents were not connected to the movie which itself doesn't glorify violence.
"This is a society which celebrates free speech and suspending this movie is an infringement of that," he said.
GREATER Union has pulled an Australian movie about Lebanese gang violence in Sydney within days of its release after brawls erupted outside screenings.
The film's distributor, Australian Film Syndicate, said Greater Union informed them of its decision to end screenings of The Combination last night following violence outside cinemas.
The Combination, made in Sydney's multi-cultural western suburbs, deals with violence and racism among young white and Middle Eastern Australians.
The cinema chain withdrew the film from four key cinemas after violence flared among patrons in Parramatta and Liverpool on Saturday, although the decision may be reviewed.
The film's director David Field, said the move was a crushing blow.
"We've worked so hard, had so little sleep in recent weeks, we're devastated,'' he said today.
"I'd hoped to get nine hours sleep last night. At midnight I got a text message that they were pulling the film.''
He denied the incidents were connected to race or ethnic conflict.
Greater Union said on Sunday the safety of staff and patrons was paramount.
"Maintaining the safety and security of our staff and patrons is our main concern and priority,'' Greater Union general manager of operations Robert Flynn said in a statement.
"As such, a decision has been made to suspend all sessions of this film within NSW.''
AFS was also upset by the decision.
"The first Australian film to be released in 2009 is experiencing exceptional box office in its first week of release, which makes this unprecedented move all the more devastating for everyone involved, especially for the audiences that are now going to miss out,'' AFS spokeswoman Allanah Zitserman said in a statement.
Although we do not support the decision by Greater Union to pull the film from its NSW sites, we respect and understand their position.''
Despite the Greater Union ban, the film was showing in 27 other locations nationwide, including Hoyts and independents.
However the four cinemas which withdrew the movie - Sydney's George Street, Liverpool, Parramatta and Burwood - were located in the key target market where most of the box office takings were expected, Ms Zitserman told AAP.
Mr Field hoped a way could be found to reverse the decision.
"It's a beautiful film, it doesn't advocate violence, I hope people can calm down and I'm hoping we can find a way to amend the situation.''
Screen Australia CEO Dr Ruth Harley said the film was still playing in many other theatres and she encouraged people to see it.
"I believe it's a good film that's had terrific reviews and is a film of our times,'' she said.
''...we would encourage people to see it.''
Greater Union spokeswoman Melissa Kesby said the chain was investigating complaints and the film may re-open at a later date.
"If we feel that our staff and patrons will be in a safe environment then yes, we will," she told the ABC.
Keysar Trad, the president of the Islamic Friendship Association, said there was no need to suspend the movie.
"From what I know, the incidents were not connected to the movie which itself doesn't glorify violence.
"This is a society which celebrates free speech and suspending this movie is an infringement of that," he said.
Source: Daily Telegraph
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