Released earlier this year, the documentary Bully was a basis for controversy because of its topic and its issues with the MPAA, which rated the film R solely for language, limiting the film’s ability to screen in schools throughout the country.
Even though the film already received a limited run at the Athena Cinema during the spring, the film will be returning to the local big screen for a weeklong run from Oct. 1 to Oct. 4. It is free for all Ohio University students and faculty, and a panel will be held after the 4 p.m. Oct. 2 screening.
Christine Bhat, the president of the Ohio Counseling Association and assistant professor in counselor education at OU, will monitor the panel along with Nancy Baur, a representative from Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) organization and 2001 OU graduate in education; Redina Dailey, a school counselor at Alexander Jr. High School in Albany, Ohio; Mara Giglio, director of the Appalachian Peace and Justice Network (APJN) and a consultant for the Ohio Commission on Dispute Resolution and Conflict Management (OCDRCM); and Adam Safran, a 29-year-old Athens local with Asperger’s Syndrome.
"School bullying has become a huge issue in our society, and by hosting screenings and a panel discussion with members from the Ohio University faculty, Athens community members and area educators, the Athena Cinema hopes to play an integral part in creating a discussion and raising awareness on the dangers of this issue," said Alexandra Kamody, managing director of the Athena Cinema, in a news release.
In addition to the panel, there will be flyers and other materials available for suicide-prevention services, counseling and places that can help any problems audience members might have.
“For the audience, this film brings up a lot of questions and raises a lot of emotions,” Bhat said. “I really hope that anyone on the fence on this issue will leave the film understanding how damaging bullying really is.”
Bhat and others have been advertising the screenings to local schools and publications in the area, so they believe that these screenings will receive a strong turnout.
Above all else, the panel members hope these screenings will help people understand bullying and what damage it causes those affected by it.
“If students have more empathy for each other then they are less likely to be in conflict with each other,” Giglio said. “If students can manage strong emotions and problem solve, then there will be less of a need for bullying and violence.”
The screenings will feature the PG-13 cut of the film, and ticket prices for general admission are $5 during matinees and $6.50 during evening shows.
“I hope they realize how much pain some students are in and what they are going through in public school settings,” Baur said. “I want every teacher and administrator to know that bullying is a serious matter and should never be tolerated.”
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