Award-winning documentary maker Lee Hirsch tackles a thorny issue close to many families in recent Melbourne International Film Festival highlight, Bully.
Gaining access to several high schools in the United States, Hirsch interviews kids, their parents and school authorities, starting with the tragic story of one young boy who took his own life. The pained struggle of his father is heartbreaking to watch – while he admits he knew his shy, awkward son would be bullied, it’s clear he never understood just how devastating that experience was until too late.
From the remnants of a family picking up the pieces, Hirsch goes on to follow several bullied children as they try and manoeuvre their way through the school day in one piece.
Alex, 12, is dubbed “fish face” and mercilessly attacked by his classmates, particularly on the bus. At one stage Hirsch steps out from behind the camera and informs the school as things get out of control. Perhaps most upsetting is a scene when Alex’s younger sister admits she gets bullied by association. Hirsch’s disbelief, and then obvious horror, is shattering.
Kelby, 16, is ostracised for being openly gay, while Ja’Meya, 14, is incarcerated in a youth detention centre after being bullied so fiercely that she stole her mother’s gun and threatened her tormentors on the bus.
However, perhaps the biggest bullies are the principals, teachers and counsellors who wilfully turn a blind eye or are unimaginably ignorant to the rampant bullying in their schools and focus on maintaining a thin veneer of peace.
One awful moment involves a deputy principal pulling aside two boys who’ve presumably had a scrap outside. She demands they shake hands, and one, obsequious-as-you-like does so on demand, while the other, broodingly refuses. It’s obvious to all except the deputy principal that it’s the “nice” boy who’s clearly the bully.
Undoubtedly powerful, the documentary has a few weaknesses. Whether through access issues or choice, Hirsch only focuses on small town schools, and little attempt is made to investigate the motives of the bullies. Nonetheless, this is a tear-inducing and thought-provoking triumph.
Read an interview with the director Lee Hirsch at thecityweekly.com.au.
