Documentary “˜Bully’ shows promise in effecting positive change for school bullying, violence

This weekend (which just so happens to start off on Friday the thirteenth), the documentary “Bully” will call audiences to take action.

As seen in other endeavors, such as the Joseph Kony videos promoted by Invisible Children, film has the power to change the way people think and make them more aware of important topics.

I am all for having a good laugh in the theater with a tub of buttery popcorn and a funny movie, but sometimes I want to see something that will make me think or make me more informed about a given social issue. If you are looking for something more serious as a moviegoer this week, then “Bully” is the film for you.

Lately, it seems like the heartbreaking stories of young people who have committed suicide after being relentlessly bullied in school have become all too common. “Bully,” which was released in select theaters on March 30 and opens in theaters everywhere on Friday, seeks to put an end to this behavior and promote change. The documentary, directed by award-winning filmmaker Lee Hirsch, was filmed during the 2009-2010 school year and tells the stories of the lives of five bullied children from across the country.

Part of what makes “Bully” such an important and impactful documentary is that two of these children committed suicide because of bullying, and their grieving parents are left to tell their stories.

According to The Bully Project, the organization behind the film, it is estimated that more than 13 million American children will be bullied this year. “Bully” is one of the first steps toward abolishing bullying.

By providing a look into the lives and details of what bullied children go through on a daily basis, as well as the responses of teachers and administrators to these acts, the film attempts to open the public’s eyes to the severity of this form of violence by showing how it has affected these individuals and their families. The effects include emotional distress, fear and even the loss of some victims to suicide.

While an R rating (for language) initially threatened to limit younger audiences from seeing the documentary, the wide release was recently granted a PG-13 rating after some of the inappropriate language in question was edited out. While the use of this language speaks to the magnitude and intensity of the bullying taking place in schools, I think that the new rating will allow more young people to freely see this documentary, which is a key part of spreading the word about bullying.

“Bully” puts faces and names to a long-standing issue that must come to an end once and for all. By bravely speaking out and telling their stories, these individuals and families are helping to create a better and safer future for others. While the film has generated interest in the news, online and on various television programs, it is now up to audiences to make the choice to see it and become part of the fight against bullying.

In college, we are constantly being told to be aware of the world around us and to use our time and efforts to effect positive change in our communities. If this is truly our mission, then this documentary can serve as an opportunity for us to learn about a devastating social issue that can be brought to an end.

Sometimes movies are purely entertaining, and other times they teach us lessons, expose us to things and call us to action. “Bully” promises to be one of those films.

What do you think about movies with a message? Email Seikaly at [email protected].