Bully screens at the Bear Tooth, June 8–14
Bully examines the dire consequences of bullying through the stories of five students who face bullying on a daily basis. It will be shown at the Bear Tooth in Anchorage from Friday, June 8 through Thursday, June 14 (except Monday). (Possibly there will be later screenings; Bent Alaska will update as information becomes available.)
Bully follows the students and their families over the course of a school year, with an intimate glimpse into homes, classrooms, cafeterias and principals’ offices. Through the power of their stories, the film aims to be a catalyst for change in the way we deal with bullying as parents, teachers, children and society as a whole.
The students in the film are from high schools in Georgia, Iowa, Texas, Mississippi and Oklahoma. Stories include the deaths of Tyler Long and Ty Smalley, victims of bullying who took their own lives, and a mother awaiting the fate of her 14-year-old daughter who has been incarcerated after bringing a gun on her school bus.
The film’s director, Lee Hirsch, was a victim of bullying as a child, and decided to make the film to bring more attention to the issue of bullying. The film’s website has numerous resources for parents, students, educators, and advocates, including an in-depth viewing guide.
Bully initially received an “R” (restricted) rating from the MPAA, effectively removing it from being viewed by its most important target audience: kids. Following an online petition drive started on Change.org by a former victim of bullying, and negotiations between the MPAA and The Weinstein Company, which is distributing the film, the rating was eventually changed to “PG13,” making it possible for kids to see the film on their own.
- Date/time: Friday, June 8–Thursday, June 14 except Monday, 7:50 PM each night
- Location:Bear Tooth Theatre Pub, 1230 West 27th Avenue Anchorage (see map)
- Cost of admission: $3.50
- Further info: See the Bear Tooth Theatre Pub website, or the Bully Project website.
- Movie Rating: PG-13.For intense thematic material, disturbing content, and some strong language – all involving kids (edited for re-rating).
