“Groups of young people are shown enjoying themselves, surrounded by cash, fast cars, gold jewellery and most worryingly – guns.

“It shows the underworld of gun crime to be like some kind of gang life for the MTV generation. The fact of the matter is people die from gun and gang crime and most people want to get out.

“Their life is a misery and completely the opposite of what the trailer shows.”

Opening with a shot of Spaghetti Junction and the iconic Birmingham landscape the film trailer shows huge groups of masked black men threatening each other before unloading a hail of bullets as the stand-off escalates into violence.

With a gangster rap soundtrack playing in the background, one of the gangs opens fire on their rivals in a drive by shooting.

And in one scene a boy who looks no older than ten-years-old handles a gun like a professional, winning the respect of one of the senior gangsters.

The entire cast was recruited from the streets in and around Handsworth and West Midlands Police liaised with film makers during the shoot.

The film is the creation of controversial director Penny Woolcock, who has previously filmed an adaption of Shakespeare’s Macbeth on an estate in Ladywood where the characters were street criminals and drug dealers.

Cash for the film came from government-funded regional agency Screen WM, who also funded The Road To Guantanemo Bay – a film about the Tipton Three being held at the infamous prison for two years.

Coun Barton added: “We are spending thousands of pounds to try and stop kids get into gangs while the Government is effectively funding films with the opposite message.”

A West Midlands Police spokesman said: “Representatives from production companies regularly approach the force for assistance, advice or simply to advise us that filming is taking place. Although we may not always agree or support the premise of a film or programme we have no powers to stop filming.”

A spokeswoman for Screen WM said: “Penny Woolcock’s 1 Day does not set out to glamorise or simplify a very complex situation but aims to offer an insight into the challenges faced by young people growing up in tough conditions.

“The film was produced with the full co-operation of the local communities in inner-city Birmingham, many of whom took roles in the production both in front of and behind the camera.

“The film carries a strong progressive message without shying away from the realities of daily life.”