Yesterday I posted a trailer for Bully, a documentary about the gay teen bullying problem. The MPAA gave it an 'R' rating and Harvey Weinstein appealed to them for a PG-13 rating so the movie could reach the teen audience to which it was hoping to show the film, EW reports.
TWC co-chairman Harvey Weinstein and one of the bullied children in the film, Alex Libby (pictured), delivered statements to the MPAA's Classification and Rating Appeals Board today, arguing that an R rating would prevent Bully from reaching the adolescent audience that would most benefit from the movie. (The studio was planning on screening the documentary at various middle and high schools.) However, for an MPAA rating to be overturned, a two-thirds vote is required — and Bully was one vote short.
Weinstein released a statement suggesting that The Weinstein company would be taking a leave of absence from the MPAA, according to EW:
“We respect the MPAA and their process but feel this time it has just been a bridge too far. I have been through many of these appeals, but this one vote loss is a huge blow to me personally. Alex Libby gave an impassioned plea and eloquently defended the need for kids to be able to see this movie on their own, not with their parents, because that is the only way to truly make a change.”
Watch the amazing trailer if you missed it yesterday, AFTER THE JUMP…
