Pitchforks: 4/5
Release: April 13
Rated: PG-13
Most people who have attended school have been a part of the growing emotional virus teenagers and young adults face: bullying.
The documentary “Bully” targets the many unexpected parties responsible for harassment and the severe consequences that stem from this mistreatment.
Director, producer, cinematographer and writer Lee Hirsch chronicles the lives of three bullied teenagers, their families and the poor nature of how abuse is handled throughout the school system.
12-year-old Alex from Sioux City, Iowa, exemplifies confusing bullying with friendship. Tormented both physically and emotionally by kids on the school bus each morning, Alex assumes getting strangled and sat on as a sign of friendship. Upon realizing the situation his parents meet with the school’s vice principal only to hear yet another excuse, “Boys will be boys,” and worse, an empty promise, “We’ll take care of it.”
Two families are also acknowledged in the film for working to put an end to bullying everywhere after the tragic bully-related suicide of each family’s son.
The Smalley family organized “Stand for the Silent,” an anti-bullying foundation consisting of a series of vigils in remembrance of the victims of oppression.
Aside from the mood-enhancing scenery and successful development in depicting people’s stories, the implied messages of the documentary prove to be the strongest aspect. Popularity means nothing and doesn’t excuse a student’s mistreatment toward another.
The fine line between “messing around” and cruelty is one that shouldn’t be so fine. If a student doesn’t feel comfortable he or she shouldn’t hold back from speaking to an adult. Not just any adult, but one that will actually do something about it.
In 2012, 13 million students in America will be bullied. Three million will miss school because they feel unsafe. “Bully” does an impressive job of featuring kids that express the needs and fears of those 13 million.
If any criticism should be made, it’s how the school board and police departments handle the bullying. One scene reveals a city meeting set up by the Long family whose son killed himself because of in-school bullying. The parents addressed their concerns to find solutions for harassment.
Their worries resulted in a shocking response from the city’s police: silence. It was an eye-opener that both students and parents have to work harder just to let their voices be truly heard and understood.
“Bully” ends with an overview of the kids’ and families’ hopes for the future and a reassuring promise that they will never stop fighting to make a change in their town and rid the world of bullying.
To learn more about bullying and Hirsch’s film visit thebullyproject.com.
Reach the reporter at mkthomp5@asu.edu
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