Today is release day for the new feature length documentary, Bully. Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last few weeks, you have to have heard about it. Filmmaker Lee Hirsch followed five families dealing with bullying or the aftermath of bullying as well as school administrators over the course of one school year.
The reviews are incredible. Time Magazine says ‘it’s a punishing movie that your kids must see.’ Well, Canadian kids will be seeing it – in theatres and in their classrooms. American kids – well that’s another story. They’ll see it at the theatres if their parents go with them. Bully was slapped with an R rating in the States due to the use of the ‘eff-word’. Seriously? I heard this morning that the director is recutting it to try and get it in the hands of kids and educators. What a shame. As a CBC reviewer said this morning, it’s not like a bully is saying ‘I really don’t like you. I’m going to hit you on the head.’ – you know what they’re saying and they’re using the eff-bomb so why be forced to take it out.
Anyway. Here’s the trailer in case you haven’t seen it. Are you planning on seeing it? Taking your kids? I know that I want to see it so I can be as equipped as possible for when Will is a bit older. I also plan on buying a copy so we can watch it together when he’s older. I was so incredibly fortunate to not be bullied in high school. I did participate in bullying somebody though – I was there and I never tried to stop it. A big regret (that and my Flock of Seagulls hair). I randomly met the girls brother at a bar a few years ago and I said ‘we were asses to your sister in high school.’ He just nodded and said ‘yes you were’.
So – Bully? Are you in or are you out??
God Kim so well said. I totally agree with everything you said. I saw one of the families from the film interviewed and their siblings said that NOTHING has changed at the school. How is this possible?! I do think that it has to raise some awareness – even if it deters ten children from being bullies…that’s something. I’m so sorry that your daughter had to endure that.
I am afraid to see this film. I’m afraid it will make me angry about all that wasn’t done for my child when she was bullied. so quietly. so psychologically. I’m afraid I’ll see that nothing has changed. Lots of parents today do NOT take accountability for their children’s behaviour, blaming everyone else. Our society is continually promoting the self-importance and entitlement of our children which propagates the idea that their actions are not only acceptable but will be dealt with by little to no consequences.
I can not wait to see this movie!! Thanks, Sara
This looks like a powerful film. What age group are they saying it’s targeted to? I know there was an issue with the rating the the US, but are they talking about middle school, younger, older?
I’ve been living under a rock too – this is the first I’ve heard of it.
I definitely want to see what that family did – I was inspired by the father saying he would not stay silent. I think that bullying gets brushed aside because no one really knows what to do about it and the kids manage to do it when adults are not around – they’re very good at that. Like the woman saying “I’ve been on that bus – they’re good as gold”. Sure they are.
I wonder how they got the footage on the bus of the bullying. Hidden camera? I’m going to look up more on this movie right now. Thanks for sharing.
Sara, I have been living under a rock. With the holidays just around the corner I have been grocery shopping and cooking up a storm. Thanks for bringing this movie to my attention. It sounds like a must see!