"Bully" will be released on March 30 Unrated, despite a push from the distributor, The Weinstein Company, and celebrities like Johnny Depp and Meryl Streep for the lower rating of PG-13 R.
"The promotion of evidence that the R rating for language is inappropriate for a film that means to educate and parents, teachers, school officials and help children who become a epidemic in schools across the country, fighting the rating remains at "The Weinstein The company said in a statement obtained by OnTheRedCarpet.com.
Lee Hirsch The documentary shows the alarming trend of bullying in schools across America and through the restricted rating due to the depiction of real life language used by bullies.
"The small amount of language in the film responsible for the R rating is there because it really is," said Hirsch in a statement. "It's the children who are victims of bullying face on most days. All of our fans to see, and we are grateful for the support we received on board, I know the kids will come, so it is the theaters to make them. "
Michigan high school student and bully victim Katy Butler started a petition on Change.org to get the MPAA rating to PG-13 decreases, so more teens can see the movie. At press time, the petition signed by nearly half a million supporters, including 26 members of Congress.
"We are writing our sincere disappointment in the MPAA decision to print an" R "rating to issue the soon-to-be-released documentary Bully," the website Change.org advocacy in a statement. "This important project shows the real life anguish of many teenagers in this country who are tortured, harassed and bullied by their peers This truth must be shared with as wide an audience as appropriate and possible. We believe an R-rating include the audience for whom this film is very important. "
The Weinstein Company appealed the R rating, but it was upheld by the MPAA, the movie ratings that dictate.
"We respect the views of members of Congress and the public and Hollywood celebrities who care deeply about an issue that our nation is troubling," said MPAA spokesman Howard Gantman said in a statement released by the Wall Street Journal .
The Weinstein Company said that Depp, Streep and New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees has shown their support for the film. The cause to the attention of Ellen DeGeneres, Demi Lovato and Justin Bieber.
"The children and families in this film are true heroes, and we believe that theater owners everywhere step up and do what is right for the benefit of all the children out there who have been bullied or have otherwise become bullies them," The Weinstein Company President of Marketing Stephen Bruno in a statement. "We are doing everything in our power to make this film to as many parents, teachers and students across the country are available to do."
DeGeneres spoke about the documentary on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" earlier this month and said, "the lessons children learn from this film is more important than any words they hear and it is words that they do have to know. "
"Bully" is slated to hit theaters on 30 March.
