Bully, a documentary following five families whose lives have been devastated by bullying, is so powerful that the Motion Picture Association of America has given it an R rating instead of PG-13. If the R rating sticks, teachers won't be able to show the movie in schools. The documentary was made to highlight the fact that 13 million teens are bullied in America each year. If the documentary isn't shown in schools, it will be harder to put an end to the pain so many endure every day.
The documentary follows three teens and two families. Alex, 12, is in seventh grade and is bullied by the time he gets on the bus in the morning to the time he gets home from school. Alex wants desperately to fit in, but is constantly taunted. Instead of telling his parents what's going on, he assures them everything at school is fine. The film also follows Kelby, 16, a lesbian who is ridiculed every day because of her sexuality. Viewers watch her struggle with trying to fit in while staying true to herself. Ja'Meya, 14, was so sick of being bullied that she brought a loaded gun to school. Now, she's in juvenile detention and waiting to hear the outcome of her case, which could negatively impact the rest of her life. In addition to these three teens, Bully tells the heartbreaking story of two additional families who have each lost a family member due to bullying.