From the Weinstein Company

Bully is a documentary that stresses how devastating bullying can often be. Produced by the Weinstein Company, Bully features interviews of families who’s child have  committed  suicide, and other kids who are no stranger to bullying. Apparently the MPAA in all it’s wisdom say fit to give the film a ‘R’ rating because of strong language. That rating prevents the film from being seen from who would benefit it the most. A documentary for about kids, for kids, can’t be shown to- you guessed it- kids. Teacher’s can’t use it as a tool to show bullies how harmful their actions can really be, and kids who are being bullied and thinking about committing suicide may not see how much their decision will affect their whole family.

If after watching the trailer you’re angry, frustrated, and confused as to why Bully would get an ‘R’ rating when so many other movies with grotesque amounts of blood, guts, violence, and foul language are rated ‘PG-13′, you are not alone.

Trailer and statement from Weinstein after the jump.

Weinstein released the following statement in response to the rating:

“I have been through many of these appeals, but this one vote loss is a huge blow to me personally. Alex Libby gave an impassioned plea and eloquently defended the need for kids to be able to see this movie on their own, not with their parents, because that is the only way to truly make a change.

“With school-age children of my own, I know this is a crucial issue and school districts across the U.S. have responded in kind. The Cincinnati school district signed on to bus 40,000 of their students to the movie—but because the appeals board retained the R rating, the school district will have to cancel those plans.

“I personally am going to ask celebrities and personalities worldwide, from Lady Gaga (who has a foundation of her own) to the Duchess of Cambridge (who was a victim of bullying and donated wedding proceeds) to First Lady Michelle Obama (whose foundation has reached out to us as well), to take a stand with me in eradicating bullying and getting the youth into see this movie without restriction.”

To which the MPAA replied:

“Bullying is a serious issue and is a subject that parents should discuss with their children. The MPAA agrees with the Weinstein Company that Bully can serve as a vehicle for such important discussions.

“The MPAA also has the responsibility, however, to acknowledge and represent the strong feedback from parents throughout the country who want to be informed about content in movies, including language.

“The rating and rating descriptor of ‘some language,’ indicate to parents that this movie contains certain language. With that, some parents may choose to take their kids to this movie and others may not, but it is their choice and not ours to make for them.”

Edit:  Here is the change.org petition asking for the rating to be changed to PG-13!