This documentary examines the disastrous consequences of bullying through the testimony of five strong students and families Alex, Kelby, Ja'Meya and the parents of the deceased Tyler Strong and Ty Field-Smalley. Through the power of their stories, the film aims to be a catalyst for change in the way our society deals with bullying. The Chicago office of Facing History and Ourselves is an educational partner for the documentary and will publish a facilitator's guide to accompany the film. As part of the "Community Conversation," the screening will be followed by a conversation with Hirsch about the film and its subject's particular relevance to society today. "Bully" opens nationwide on March 30th.
For more information about Bully, please call (312) 726-4500 or visit facinghistory.org.
To see the movie trailer: thebullyproject.com
For the free education guide:facinghistory.org
About Lee Hirsch
A documentary filmmaker, Lee Hirsch's debut feature film, Amandla! a Revolution in Four Part Harmony, chronicles the history of the South African anti-apartheid struggle through a celebration of its musical heroes. This film was released to acclaim, winning the Audience and Freedom of Expression Awards at the Sundance Film Festival, as well as one of the five Emmy awards it was nominated for, among many other honors. Financed by the Ford Foundation and HBO, Amandla! (which means power in Zulu) was theatrically released in the United States by Artisan/Lions Gate.
Hirsch is also an established director of music videos, his most recent being a narrative shot on location in Zanzibar for John Legend's song Show Me, which was nominated for a 2008 NAACP Image award. He is also the recipient of the Best Video of the Year award from the National Television and Video Association of South Africa for his work with Bongo Maffin. Lee Hirsch was born and raised on Long Island, New York, and attended the Putney School in Vermont, Hampshire College and the New York Film Academy. He currently lives in Brooklyn, New York.
About Facing History and Ourselves
Facing History and Ourselves is an international educational and professional development organization whose mission is to engage students of diverse backgrounds in an examination of racism, prejudice, and anti-Semitism in order to promote the development of a more humane and informed citizenry. By studying the historical development of the Holocaust and other examples of genocide and mass violence, students make the essential connection between history and the moral choices they confront in their own lives. Facing History reaches 1.9 million students each year through a network of 50,000 educators. In 2009, the Facing History and Ourselves website received more than 700,000 visits from people in 215 countries, with 2.6 million page views. The Chicago office of Facing History and Ourselves celebrated its 20th Anniversary in 2010. More information is available at facinghistory.org.
