Bully

Bully

Cast: Alex, Ja'Maya, Kelby
Director: Lee Hirsch
Genre: Documentary
Rated: M
Running Time: 98 minutes

Synopsis: Directed by Sundance and Emmy-Award winning filmmaker, Lee Hirsch, Bully is a beautifully cinematic, character-driven documentary which offers an intimate, unflinching look at how bullying has touched five American kids and their families.

Roadshow Films managing director Joel Pearlman said it was important this extraordinarily powerful work was released in Australian cinemas to highlight the issue of bullying which was not restricted to the United States.

According to the National Centre Against Bullying, 27% of young Australian people report they are bullied every two weeks or more, with cyber-bullying happening to one in 10.

"This powerful film is just as relevant to Australian children and their families as it is to those in the US. We look forward to Bully continuing the conversation and ensuring that it remains a topic of great importance for families and the community in general," Mr Pearlman said.

"The best social documents on film do more than show you what's wrong in the world - they make it personal. Bully does that with a passion. Potent and provocative" Peter Travers, Rolling Stone.

Filmed over the course of the 2009/2010 school year, Bully opens a window onto the pained and often endangered lives of bullied kids to reveal a problem that transcends geographic, racial, ethnic and economic borders.

It documents the responses of teachers and administrators to aggressive behaviours that defy "kids will be kids" clichés, and it captures a growing movement among parents and youths to change how bullying is handled in schools, in communities and in society as a whole.

At its heart are those with huge stakes in this issue whose stories each represent a different facet of America's bullying crisis. Stories include two families who have lost children to suicide and a mother awaiting the fate of her 14-year-old daughter who has been incarcerated after bringing a gun on her school bus.

With an intimate glimpse into homes, classrooms, cafeterias and principals' offices, the film offers insight into the often cruel world of the lives of bullied children.

Directors' statement: Bully is a deeply personal film for me: I was bullied throughout middle school and much of my childhood. In many ways, those experiences and struggles helped shape my world view and the types of films I've endeavoured to make.

I firmly believe that there is a need for an honest, gutsy film which gives voice to the kids who deal with such torments on a daily basis. Through this unflinching look, we will make a difference for other young people across communities and improve our collective response to this crisis.

Moving away from the silence, shame and attitude of "kids will be kids," I intend that this film not only reach those who have been the victims of bullying, but more importantly, those who still need an 'empathy push'. Viewers will be left with a clear sense of how they can step into a bullying situation and make a positive impact.

For 24/7 crisis support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit www.lifeline.org.au

Release Date: August 23rd, 2012