The recent documentary Bully "aims to be a catalyst for change in the way we deal with bullying as parents, teachers, children and society as a whole". Sounds like a great idea right? Show kids the effects of bullying through the perspective of everyone involved. The Motion Picture Association of America apparently did not agree. The film was first given an R rating by the MPAA, thus taking out the demographic that would benefit most from seeing the film. Those who were bullying and being bullied were not old enough to see the very thing that could start this catalyst for change. Even those that were interested in seeing the movie may not have their parent's permission simply because the film is rated R, no matter the context. Most schools also are not allowed to show R rated movies and would eliminate another teaching opportunity.
"Crude Language" was the reason the film received the R rating. If the director decided to eliminate the language to get a lower rating, they felt they were losing the message of the film. The distributor's of the film argued "This message needs to be made available to children and teens in as pure a form as possible, and sanitizing the language serves to strip the film of some of its meaning. Bullying is harsh, and the language of bullying is equally so." The Weinstein Company fought the rating, and won, lowering it to PG-13, making it far more accessible and in turn standing up to their own bully. Small victories that hopefully can go far in the long run.
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