3 Mar 2009

Race film back at cinemas in Sydney

9:07 am on 3 March 2009

The Greater Union cinema chain will resume screenings in Sydney of a film about race riots which was pulled after fighting in the audiences.

The Combination details trouble between Australian Lebanese and white youths in Sydney's western suburbs in 2005.

The BBC reports the film was withdrawn from screening at four cinemas in Sydney after fighting broke out at two screenings in suburban Parramatta on Thursday night.

A security guard required hospital treatment after being attacked by 30 young people.

Police were also called after four people started fighting on Saturday night. No arrests were made.

Greater Union said screenings will resume on Wednesday with extra security provided by the film's distributor.

The Combination, directed by David Field, is set in late 2005 when ugly race riots flared at Cronulla Beach, sparking a series of retaliatory attacks in which shops, churches and cars were targeted. It incorporates real news footage from the riots.