CNN expresses surprise that release of Straight Outta Compton saw no violence

Straight Outta Compton, the biopic charting the rise of hip-hop group NWA, made $56.1 million in its opening weekend at the box office - a record for any R-rated film released in August.

On Monday, a surprised CNN ran a segment which focused on the fact that there had been no reports of violence as a result of the film's release.

Some movie theatres were worried about violence this weekend when the hip-hop biopic Straight Outta Compton hit the screen, but instead, all the hype and the extra security only led to longer lines, ticket lines and also some big money too.

• CNN host Ashleigh Banfield

CNN host Ashleigh Banfield invited on law enforcement analyst Cedric Alexander to discuss reports that several cinemas had brought in extra security to deal with any unruly movie-goers as a result of warnings that the film could result in anti-police violence.

While the film's producers, which included NWA members Dr Dre and Ice Cube, have been accused of airbrushing out the misogyny and violence of NWA's past, the plot does tackle the ill-feeling and mistrust between communities in the US and the police that the group experienced while growing up in south Los Angeles - a sentiment epitomised by the notorious track "F--- tha Police".

Beyond the surprised headline, the CNN pair did move into a more nuanced conversation about police-community relations and the experiences of NWA, with Alexander appearing to sympathise with the group's feeling, if not the way they put their message across.

It’s important that the American people understand that that type of language towards police is very derogatory, it’s very hurtful, it’s very painful and there’s no place for it, because we’ve got to bridge this gap [between police forces and the communities they serve].

• Cedric Alexander

Watch the full segment below:

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