The Weinstein Company to appeal MPAA over R-rating for ‘Bully’ documentary (Video)

The Weinstein Company (TWC) has another rating battle with the MPAA on its hands. The independent studio announced Tuesday that it plans on appealing the MPAA’s R-rating on a documentary called Bully, which focuses on the victims of bullying in schools in the US.

Entertainment Weekly reports that the MPAA rated it R for “some language.” The R-rating restricts the film’s audience to 17-year-olds and would likely keep the film from being shown in school to middle school or high school students.

In the announcement, TWC said that the film, which will reach theaters on March 20, could be used as a tool to combat the “epidemic of physical, psychological and emotional violence” that permeates in US schools thanks to bullying. TWC and the film’s director, Lee Hirsh enlisted Alex Libby, one of the children who was a victim of bullying and is in the film, to help appeal to the MPAA.

Hirsh said he directed the film to be seen by children, adding that, “It is heartbreaking that the MPAA, in adhering to a strict limit on certain words, would end up keeping this film from those who need to see it most. No one could make this case more powerfully than Alex Libby, and I am so proud and honored that he is stepping forward to make a personal appeal."

Harvey Weinstein, co-chairman of TWC, said that, while he respects the MPAA, “I want every child, parent, and educator in America to see Bully, so it is imperative for us to gain a PG-13 rating. It's better that children see bad language than bad behavior...”

Deadline reports that the hearing has been scheduled for Feb. 23. TWC was successful in their last fight against the MPAA, which rated 2010’s Blue Valentine NC-17 originally. TWC lobbied to get the film, which was nominated an Oscar for Michelle Williams’ performance, down to an R-rating.

You can watch a trailer for Bully below: