Bully Documentary Draws on Tragic Tales of Teasing to Call Out for Much-Needed Attention
Bully is a moving, vital and responsible must-see documentary directed by Lee Hirsch that serves as an allegedly “controversial” wake-up call for responsible human beings to address the heartbreaking headline issue of schoolyard bullying that is resulting in so many teenage suicides. “Controversial” for only one reason: It had been stupidly assigned an “R” rating by the Motion Picture Association of America, denying access to the teen audiences who are both victims and perpetrators of bullying—the very demographic that can best be served, educated, informed and ameliorated by the civic values it teaches. (The Weinstein Company has since decided to release the film unrated.) There’s an important movement building to pressure the MPAA to change the rating for Bully to “PG13” to benefit students of all ages in addition to their parents, teachers, families and friends. More about that below. First, let me assure you there’s a lot to learn from this touching and tender look at troubled youth today—not endangered by drugs or gangs, but by each other.
Mr. Hirsch follows five examples of bullying over the course of one school year. The results are mostly sad, but sometimes enriched with hope, and always avoidable, inexcusable and unnecessary in a free and privileged society like America’s. Read More
