In Philadelphia, City Councilman Jim Kenney wants every student in the city to see the new documentary “Bully,” but the R rating assigned by the MPAA film board could prevent that. Due to five instances of a distinct expletive heard on film, the MPAA won’t move on the rating. Meaning, kids who should be seeing this may not be able to without their parents with them. While it would be good for a parent to see this film with their child, the rating prevents teens from seeing it on their own.
The film follows the lives of five teens who were subjected to relentless bullying by their peers. The language included in the film is exactly what these teens experienced regularly—and what thousands of kids deal with on a daily basis. Lee Hirsch, the filmmaker, said, “The small amount of language in the film that's responsible for the R rating is there because it's real. It's what the children who are victims of bullying face on most days.”
Two of the teens profiled were literally tormented to death—they committed suicide. Viewers see their families' pain and anguish.
Kathy Butler, a teen activist, collected more than 475,000 signatures and met with the MPAA to get the rating changed. "The MPAA said they wouldn't drop the `R' rating unless this language was removed," she said. "But nothing can remove it from the halls and playgrounds of schools where bullied students hear it each day, except education and exposure."
The Weinstein Company has chosen to release the film without a rating, which is a double-edged sword. While it won't prevent teens from seeing it alone, theater owners could treat it as an “NC-17” rating, meaning a teen cannot even see it with a parent.
"We believe theater owners everywhere will step up and do what's right for the benefit of all of the children out there who have been bullied or may have otherwise become bullies themselves," said Stephen Bruno, Weinstein Co’s president of marketing.
Ronnie Polaneczy, columnist for the Philadelphia Daily News, attended Councilman Kenney’s advanced screening event. Read her impression of the film, and commentary on bullied Philadelphia-area teen Nadin Khoury, here.
For the Associated Press story, click here.
Additional ISM resources of interest
Bullying in the 21st Century—Part One ISM Recorded Webinar
Bullying in the 21st Century—Part Two ISM Recorded Webinar
Bullying in the 21st Century—Part Three ISM Recorded Webinar
Weakfish: Bullying Through the Eyes of a Child by Michael and Chris Dorn
Weakfish: Bullying Through the Eyes of a Child by Michael and Chris Dorn—DVD
