Stop Bullying On 'Anderson'

'Bully' Movie: Putting an End to Bullying

Tuesday, March 27, 2012 -- 5:00 AM

Directed by Emmy-award winning filmmaker Lee Hirsch, “Bully” is a documentary project that follows five kids and their families throughout one school year. The families in "Bully" range from families of bullied children to parents coping with the loss of their teens to suicide.

What Lee captures on film is both rare and raw, as viewers get a glimpse inside homes, classrooms, principals' offices and cafeterias. The extent of the bullying -- even with cameras present -- is shocking.

"I wasn't surprised [by their behavior] because as a kid I was bullied, so I knew exactly what that looked like," Lee says. "That they did it with me there with the camera was surprising."


After one particularly gruesome encounter for bullying victim Alex, in which he was abused on a bus ride to school, Anderson wonders how victims are able to cope.

"I basically just hoped that they wouldn't do anything to me every day," Alex says.


Taking part in “The Bully Project,” however, has been helpful for both Alex and another bullying victim, Kelby, who are trying to turn their abuse into positive experiences.

"Society is constantly changing," Kelby says in a message to other victims. "With this movie is going to come change, and they should be here to see that."


Anderson thinks Kelby is on the right track by viewing these experiences in a more positive light, as he offers words of comfort to the bullying victims and promises that there is a bigger and better life for them beyond the confines of high school.

"It's all the kids who are considered strange or unusual who are the ones who are leading interesting lives now in real life," Anderson says. "The ones who were cool back then, they peaked in 7th grade."



If you want to get involved in “The Bully Project” or for more information, visit any of the following resources:

The Bully Project Website
The Bully Project Twitter
The Bully Project Facebook

"Bully" will be in limited theatrical release on Friday, March 30, with a wide release on Friday, April 13.

See the full interview with the bullying victims, their families and "Bully" director Lee Hirsch on Tuesday, March 27 on “Anderson.”

Filed Under: As Seen On The Show