"BULLY" - MOVIE REVIEW

Still from Bully

After a proper amount of Controversy comes the release of Lee Hirsch's Documentary, Bully - one of the most important Films to hit theatres in 2012. Like a fly on the wall, Hirsch infiltrates the school buses, homes, classrooms and hangouts of five American Youth whose lives have been changed irreversibly by the act of Bullying.

Alex is a Middle School Student labelled by his peers as "creepy" and we see him get jabbed and punched on a daily basis - his Parents completely oblivious to the extent of Bullying he is experiencing. Ja'Maya, an athletic Honour Student, facing several serious charges after pulling a gun on her Tormentors one day on their school bus. Kelby is a Lesbian in High School who along with her Family has faced alienation from their tight-knit Community after she decides to "out" herself; we learn she almost was run-over by a Mini-Van. Not all these Victims lived to tell their stories, as Tyler Long and Ty Smalley both committed Suicide as a result of the pressures they faced from their Peers.  We see their Families try to pick-up the pieces after Devastation.

Although I'll be the first to admit that I found its shaky camera work and oft-blurred focus a tad nauseating, this can be overlooked as we quickly are drawn-in to the fascinating stories of Bully's Subjects. Hirsch enables us to perceive the Worlds of these young People with empathy and compassion, daring to go to uncomfortable places with these Kids and their Families as they open-up candidly about their own individual losses.

LEE HIRSCH AT CITYTV'S "BREAKFAST TELEVISION" FOR "BULLY"

Lee Hirsch & Mr. Will-W.

Lucky day!  The morning after attending his Town Hall for controversial Documentary Bully, Filmmaker Lee Hirsch and I crossed paths again today at an appearance on CityTV's Breakfast Television. Getting a moment to chat with Hirsch was awesome as he savoured his Starbucks Americano and a Cigarette before his appearance. 

He tells me that he's rather pleased with the reaction Bully has received in Toronto and although I really shouldn't be telling you this yet, he revealed that a major Hollywood Actor is confirmed to attend the Hot Docs Festival later this month. Bully actually premiered last year here in Toronto also at that same Festival under the name The Bully Project.

We both talk about our experiences as Kids being bullied and agreed that it definitely has made us more empathetic as Adults and these insights sometimes can only be acquired after undergoing a real hardship.

The New York Native is glad to see his Film finally get an official release this Friday, April 6, 2012 here in Canada, where we've been much more liberal in our ratings system compared to our Friends south of the Border, slapping Bully with an R-rating. Here in Ontario, the Documentary is rated PG and I'm thrilled that I'm old enough to see it this weekend without Parental Supervision! 

Click here to read about last night's Town Hall for Bully.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

LEE HIRSCH IN TORONTO FOR "BULLY" | OFFICIAL T-SHIRT GIVEAWAY

Lee Hirsch in Toronto for Premiere of Bully - April 2012

The statistics on Bullying are staggering. This year alone, it is estimated that over 13 million Kids will be bullied.  Documentary Maker Lee Hirsch was in Toronto today doing a full day of Press for his controversial new Film Bully, which has been in the news much of late due to its debatable R-rating from the MPAA in the U.S., somewhat defeating its purpose to educate Children on a matter which impacts them directly.

Following its Toronto Premiere at the TIFF Bell Lightbox this evening, a Town Hall was held with a Group of Panelists which included:

• Director Lee Hirsch
• Hon. Laurel Broton (Ontario Minister of Education)
• Jacques St. Pierre (High School Student and Founder of the I Will Make it Better Project)
• Leora Schaefer (Director, Facing History and Ourselves)
• Todd Solomon (Clinical Director, Kids Help Phone)

Hirsch explained to the Audience that his inspiration in making Bully - which lasted a span of three years - was a result of his own Childhood which saw him being bullied also.  He goes on to say, "Bullying exists in a construct that's very hard to define and is often met with the response that can be minimizing such as 'Kids will be Kids', or 'This is a rite of passage'.". "I wanted to show it and let people walk in these shoes and experience it.".

MPAA NEARING A SOLUTION TO R-RATING FOR "BULLY"

Still from Bully Trailer

The problem is real. Bully from Director Lee Hirsch, follows the lives of five Students from Texas, Mississippi, Georgia, Iowa and Oklahoma, who face bullying on a daily basis at School. Already dealing with controversial subject matter, the acclaimed Documentary also is raising eyebrows in the U.S. with its R rating by the Motion Picture Association of America, meaning Children under the age of 17 won't be allowed to see it due to the amount of foul language heard in the Film.  This in effect, defeats its intention to educate the Public on the Matter.

MPAA Chairman Chris Dodd said last week after a post-Screening Debate in Washington, that he is committed to working around the Red Tape surrounding Bully's release. Dodd says, "One, they don't have to be rated. My hope is we can find some way to work through this", meaning that the Documentary could be released in the U.S. without a rating altogether.  Stars like Johnny Depp, Meryl Streep and Tommy Hilfiger have all joined the Cause, signing a Petition supporting Bully after the MPAA had decided its original rating. Fortunately in Canada, the Documentary in Canada is rated PG-13.

Anyone who goes out of their way to make you uncomfortable whether it be attending School or doing your Work is a Bully and nobody should be subject to this. We can make a difference and I'm excited to see what insights this Film has to offer us.

 Alliance Films releases Bully in Canada on Friday, April 6, 2012.

Watch the Trailer in full below: