The debut of the inner-city drama "Boyz N the Hood" triggered largely gang-related gunfire that left one moviegoer dead and at least 31 wounded across the nation.
Several theater owners Saturday promptly pulled the critically praised Columbia Pictures movie from their screens.The film's 23-year-old writer-director, John Singleton, accused those theaters of "artistic racism" and said his movie encourages peace.
"I'm very disappointed because that's not what my movie is about," he said. "It's just a reflection of the way our society is going right now."
The violence, similar to that surrounding the March premiere of the drama "New Jack City," could have a profound impact on the future of black-oriented films, just at a time when a new generation of black directors, like Singleton, are becoming prominent.
Violence has also accompanied the premieres of other movies, including "The Godfather III" last year and the 1988 film "Colors," a movie about Los Angeles gangs.
Released by Columbia in about 800 theaters nationwide, "Boyz N the Hood" is set in the gang-plagued neighborhoods of south-central Los Angeles.
While the film features some gang violence, its message is pacifistic. The film's final frames carry the plea: "Increase the Peace."
In the Chicago suburb of Riverdale, Ill., a man was fatally shot early Saturday after a midnight showing at a drive-in.
Michael Booth, 23, of Chicago was pronounced dead at a hospital after being shot at the Halsted Twin Outdoor Theater. Police said they had made no arrests.
Five people were wounded in or near an 18-theater complex in Universal City, just north of Hollywood. The Cineplex Odeon complex canceled future showings of the film.
The scene was pandemonium after gunfire broke out seconds after the lights dimmed. "People were stampeding," said moviegoer Sally Dorsey. "People were running into the bathroom."
Elsewhere:
- In Sacramento, a 19-year-old woman was shot six times in the chest and shoulder when two young men opened fire on deputies trying to break up fights outside the theater, authorities said. She was listed in good condition. An 18-year-old man was arrested for investigation of attempted murder of a law officer.
- In Pinole in northern California, a 20-year-old man was in serious condition after being shot several times in the back.
- In Upland, 40 miles east of Los Angeles, four people were shot in what may have been a fight between two rival gangs. Two of the wounded, including a 16-year-old girl, were hospitalized in fair condition. The theater canceled future showings.
- In nearby Chino, two people were wounded, one seriously, while standing in line to watch the movie.
- In Tuscaloosa, Ala., three teens were shot in a gang fight at a theater. Two were in serious condition.
- In Minneapolis, a shot was fired in a downtown theater, and part of the crowd spilled out into the street, police said. A vehicle drove by and multiple shots were fired. At least four people were wounded, two critically; a fifth was injured trying to flee and a sixth suffered minor injuries.
- In Akron, Ohio, a 16-year-old boy was shot in the stomach Friday evening outside a theater. Elsewhere in Ohio, 13 people were arrested at a theater in Lorain after a disturbance there.
- In North Las Vegas, Nev., two people were shot at a drive-in that was showing the film, police said. No arrests were reported.
- In Commack, N.Y., a Long Island teen-ager was stabbed by two attackers Saturday in the lobby of a theater showing the film, police said. He was reported in stable condition. No arrests were made.
- Dozens stormed a Racine, Wis., theater lobby after about 200 people sneaked into a side door and managers canceled the Friday showing, said police Capt. Richard Klofanda. Milwaukee police were called to break up a reported gang fight outside a theater.
Columbia Pictures said theaters in Seattle, Chino and Universal City pulled the film. Theaters in Upland and Waukegan, Ill., also canceled screenings.
Hawaii officials asked Consolidated Theatres, the state's largest movie chain, not to show the film.
A police spokesman said Cobb's Fox 10 cinema in Tuscaloosa, Ala., planned to eliminate late-night showings.
The film's producer, Steve Nicolaides, deplored the violence but defended the movie.
"We cannot interpret these terrible acts of violence as a reason for artists to stop looking at the problems of our society," he said.
"The problems will not somehow magically go away if we ignore them."