BULLY: A Must See Documentary

This year, over 13 million American kids will be bullied at school, online, on the bus, at home, through their cell phones and on the streets of their towns, making it the most common form of violence young people in this country experience.  BULLY is the first feature documentary film to show how we've all been affected by bullying, whether we've been victims, perpetrators or stood silent witness.

Release Date:  Beginning March 30,2012 click here for dates in your area

BULLY is a documentary film directed by Sundance and Emmy Award winning filmmaker, Lee Hirsch.  The film follows 5 kids and their families over the 2009/2010 school year.   It shows the unflinching brutal way bullying has affected each of these families and some of their communities. 

The abuse shown, ranges from verbal abuse, curses, physical threats and violence, to being ostracized by teachers and a community for being a lesbian.  The kids and families are very brave for allowing us into their lives.  We see the fear, apprehension, and frustration these kids deal with everyday just preparing for school.

Hirsch does an excellent job documenting the responses of teachers, administrators and community officials.   We see how apathetic they are by their own words and actions.  Hirsch was brilliant not adding any commentary.  He leaves the interpretation up to the audience. 

The apathy shown in this movie is astounding.  My bus driver kicked you off the bus if you showed any disrespect to anyone.  As all 5 families stated, when a child is sent to school, it is the school’s responsibility to keep them safe.  In all 5 schools the response was; we can’t protect every child; it’s up to the parents.

Well, these parents are doing something.  They are speaking out and in some cases, making a difference.  Instead of having their child moved to a different bus, Alex’s parents request the bully be banned from the bus.  Revealing the underlying question, why is it always the bullied that have to make the concessions and changes?

Bullying knows no geographical, ethnic, economic, or racial boundaries.  Ignoring, denying, or even justifying bullying because, ‘it’s in every school across the country,’ is just a reason to deny responsibility. Does that reasoning sound familiar?  Ever heard a child say, "But Jimmy's mom let's him do (fill in the blank)?" 

Hirsch doesn’t sugar coat anything.   He lets the cameras tell the story as a true documentary should.  I did feel the movie lacked in describing the bullying with some of the kids, but I guess that is part of the problem.  We may never know the full extent of the bullying that leads to suicide or retribution.  Many of those voices have been silenced.

For more information please visit: https://thebullyproject.com

Note:
The Weinstein Co. announced it release BULLY as unrated.
AMC theaters will admit minors without a parent or guardian present please visit their website for details.