One of the year’s buzziest new film directors actually got his start as a rapper.
Read on for more, and be sure to check out the exclusive behind-the-scenes featurette for the film above.
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: You got your start rapping.
How did that develop into the style you’re known for?
RAPMAN:When I was a kid, I used to listen to a lot of hip-hop.
That’s howBlue Storystarted.
I would love stories likeWest Side StoryandGrease.
I just always liked the musical era anyway, so this was my version of it.
How did it all transfer into filmmaking?
Were you writing and directing your own videos out of necessity?
Like “I know my vision, I can hire myself.”
At the same time, I really did love theWest Side Story, andGrease1 and 2.
I love the whole Romeo and Juliet stories.
Were there any black British films or British urban films that inspired you?
I think for Americans, the only one many of us can really think of isAttack the Block.
SoKidulthood, andBullet Boy, and you knowAttack The Block, were films that I really liked.
I always enjoyed them, but I didn’t feel like they were speaking my story.
Vue also said there were"significant incidents"at other theaters, though it ultimately reinstated the film.
They said other incidents without any proof or evidence of that.
The film was already doing well that weekend.
What was the difference in the reaction to it before the whole theater controversy and then after?
The film was doing really well.
We’re trending two days in a row.
Everything is going great."
Does it deserve to be banned?
I want to go and see for myself.
It got the critics behind it, who we thought were going to slay us, loving us all.
It had just done wonders for the movie.
It got us a whole new audience that we would’ve never reached.
But before, the film was still doing well anyway.
I saw the whole thing about whatTrolls: World Tourhas done.
I think as long as the people can see it.
I can’t wait for America and Canada to take toBlue Story.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
