Documentary Sparks Discussion On Bullying In Md.
BALTIMORE (WJZ)-- Putting an end to bullying. That's the goal of a documentary that's now playing in Maryland.
Andrea Fujii explains First Lady Katie O'Malley attended the premiere hoping to spark discussion.
"They punch me, strangle me, take things from me, sit on me."
The film "Bully" takes the viewer inside schools across the country to show what life is like for kids who take classmates' abuse everyday-- some who've even committed suicide.
The movie debuted in Maryland Thursday night. After one of the premieres, First Lady Katie O'Malley -- an anti-bullying advocate -- hosted a discussion.
"We have to be outraged but we have to bring everybody into this discussion," Lynne Muller of the Maryland State Department of Education said.
Viewers say the hour-and-a-half film offers a glimpse inside millions of childrens' bullied lives.
"The film touches you here. It brings tears to your eyes-- just emotional and sentimental," a viewer said.
"We have to be outraged, but we have to bring everybody into this discussion," Muller said.
The film also examines how some educators ignore bullying concerns.
The film's creators hope the film will spark more discussion, and eventually, change.
"We need to teach kids how to be assertive, which is different than being aggressive," Dr. Catherine Bradshaw, deputy director at the Johns Hopkins Center for the Prevention of Youth Violence, said.
"Bully" is playing at several theaters across the state. The film is rated PG-13.
