More than 6,000 LAUSD students were at the Nokia Theater Tuesday morning to watch the documentary "Bully" (trailer below), a film that follows the lives -- and, sometimes, deaths -- of bullied students.
The movie, directed by Emmy Award winner Lee Hirsch, chronicles the constant torment of five children across the U.S., and highlights the ongoing crisis' impact on victims and their families.
Concerns over the film's accessibility began when it was slapped with an R-rating for profane language. Supporters of the film said the rating, which would require anyone under 17 to be accompanied by an adult, made it difficult for the movie's target audience to access it.
After agreeing to remove three expletives, the film's rating was downgraded to PG-13 and its screening at the Nokia Theatre came together in just ten days after the Weinstein Company gave Los Angeles Fund a copy of the film and the venue agreed to host.
"I think it is an idea and a way of using media to get a very profound message out, or to begin dialoague that hasn't happened yet," said Megan Chernin with Los Angeles Fund.
Many students said they left the screening with an understanding of the steps they must now take.
"I want to do my part to stop bullying," said Jerry Gallegos, a 10th grade student at Roosevelt High School. "I want to say hi to the new kid, make friends with the kid that is sort of small, skinny."
"When I first saw it, I hoped more people get to see this because everyone needs to know what's going on," said Jasmine Braff, an 11th grade student at Carson High School.
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"I definitely want to stand out and tell people what's been going on with that."
Mayor Antonia Villaraigosa, LAUSD Superintendent John Deasy, and several Disney and Nickelodeon stars also attended the screening. Deasy had a conversation with students after the film. Students were asked to bring back what they learned from the movie to school and help end bullying.
"Thirteen-million kids are affected by bullying or are bullied in our schools and in our neighborhoods. That's 13 million too many," Villaraigoisa said.
Tim Leiweke, president and CEO of Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG), which owns several LA sports teams and is spearheading the drive to bild an NFL stadium downtown, admitted that he, too, was bullied.
"It was a constant issue I had to deal with growing up," Leiweke said. "I want them to understand, just because you get bullied early doesn't mean you can't turn out well late."
Disney stars Kenton Duty said he was bullied for being short; and Avan Jogia said he used humor to protect himself from bullying.
"People have different strategies, I guess, to bullying," Jogia said. "I don't think we need all these defensive strategies, if it wasn't tolerated on a larger group."
While following around bullying victims, the film documented responses from teachers and administrators. Many of whom didn't have much to say other than, "Boys will be boys."
Counselors, school support and community groups are available to LA students despite budget constraints and Deasy said LAUSD is trying to bring counselors back into the district to deal with bullying scenarios.
The union "and I are working on an agreement," Deasy said. "We haven't reached it yet."
The film, in conjunction with The Bully Project, was created with a mission to reduce the number of bullied students and, ultimately, transform society, according to its website.
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