Bully

Aroview: A shattering documentary on the difficult social problem of bullying, which gives a voice to the victims who suffer repeated physical and verbal abuse - often, with tragic consequences - at the hands of their classmates and within the schools that are supposed to protect them.

Using heart-breaking testimony as a powerful and emotive plea for help, dir. Hirsch's brave expose is also an enraging example of indifference and bureaucracy within the American school system. While undermined by the fact that it doesn't confront the bullies themselves, if only to pose the question of why they exist (and are allowed to thrive), this cuts deep and ought to be viewed - with caution, given its disturbing material - by every parent and child alike.

NZ International Film Festival 2012