In the documentary directed by Lee Hirsch and Sundance, “Bully”, the harsh reality of bullying across schools in America is brought into perspective. The documentary focuses on children who are bullied and harassed every day and the families that have been affected by the suicides of their children who had been left feeling worthless and could no longer stand the tormenting. With a strong focus on pathos to allow viewers to be deeply moved by the movie and take a stand against bullying, distinct variations in background music to subtly emphasize the situations that are displayed, and numerous examples of bullying from the point of views of those who are bullied and those who have lost a loved one, Lee Hirsch demonstrates with an empowering and inspiring tone the harmful and lasting effects of bullying and motivates each and every viewer to take a stand against bullying and make a difference in the lives of each and every person affected by it.

The entire documentary is powerful and moving due to its strong use of pathos throughout. As viewers, we are enabled to empathize with all the young boys and girls who are tormented every day and are constantly ignored. The sufferings of Alex, Ja’Meya, Kelby, Tyler Long, and Ty Smalley go unnoticed as even highest ranking administration dismiss their bullies, simply saying “kids will be kids”. We as viewers become enraged as their voices go unheard and the bullying continues even under the watchful eyes of teachers and principals that somehow believe bullying is “not a big problem” in their schools. In the tragic suicide of Tyler Long, his father tells the viewers “Some kids had told him to go hang himself – that he was worthless. And I think he got to the point where enough was enough”. Through this we see that words in fact do hurt and the strong impact that these words have, as young kids feel hopeless as insults such as faggot, pussy, and b**** are hurled at them. With the employment of pathos and the sight of a grieving father, viewers are able to emotionally connect with every child and parent spotlighted in the film. The goal of director Lee Hirsch is not just to cause each and every viewer to cry throughout the entire film- although this is probably the case- but to educate. He wants the world to see the lasting effects that bullies have on kid’s lives as they become scared to go to school for fear of being teased and physically harassed and are left feeling like hopeless outsiders. With this knowledge he hopes that no one will be able to remain a bystander and that everyone will feel the drive to take a stand against bullying and to play their small part in changing the world. The documentary is Lee Hirsch’s call to action, to immediately stop the bullying and harassment that destroys families and children’s lives. “Everything starts with one”. This last line of the movie, simply stated on the screen, is the most powerful and the sends the clearest message of action, change, and hope for the future.

The stories and sufferings of the children and families affected by bullying unravel through the changing variations in background music that reflect their specific and overall situations. Alex, also called “fishface” by his tormentors, shows his eccentric and quirky side as well as his pain caused by his bullies on the school bus and at school. The background violin music reflects his personality, playing irregular and off beat music that creates a more light hearted feeling than in the cases of Tyler Long, Ja’Meya, Ty, and Kelby. As the children or their families tell their stories about name calling, attempts at suicide, loss of their children and loved ones, and overall suffering, the music changes dramatically. The music becomes a tool to aid the depressing feelings of isolation and pain as the bullies and other children laugh at and tease their victims, sometimes telling them to “go kill themselves” or that they “mean nothing”. However, as Kelby talks about the love she has for her friends that are loyal to her, her girlfriend that keeps her strong, and her wish to make a difference in the lives of those who are bullied just like her, the music changes to become more upbeat and inspiring. At the very end of the documentary when Ty Smalley’s father spreads his wishes to end bullying through his program that speaks to school children around the country, the background music is more uplifting as he creates high hopes for a future free of bullies. Throughout the film, the mood is constantly shifting from uplifting to depressing. These variations of chaotic and inspiring scenes together create Hirsch’s powerful and motivational film.

Five families from across the country that are affected by bullying in some way are showcased in this film, each story a little bit different. With each story, we see the effects of bullying in a different perspective. We learn about the tormenting through the victims themselves, the parents of those who had committed suicide in desperation to end the harassment, and even the grief-stricken best friend of 11-year old Ty Smalley who took his own life. Each different point of view provides us with insight to the harder to understand emotional and mental effects of bullying, as opposed to just physical damage. As the children try to hide their suffering from their parents, they are further broken down. We see the depression and anger filling up inside every single parent, as they tell of the useless authority that promises to “take care of the bullying problem” but sit around and do nothing, sometimes even blaming the victims as in the case of Ja’Meya. Ja’Meya, who was sentenced to juvie for bringing a gun onto her school bus to stop the bullies from harassing her, and her mother are forced to hear the ignorance of a sheriff who attacks Ja’Meya and does not even consider the bullies that caused her to make her wrong decision. Kirk Smalley, father of Ty Smalley, tells us and shows us that he no longer can bear to watch as bullied children and teens are left feeling helpless and inferior, starting his own campaign to shed light on the topic of bullying. Kelby has a completely different story as a lesbian teenager in a Christian town that believes her sexuality is a sin. She allows viewers to experience her pain as she tells about the open hatred others have for her and the rude comments that even her teachers make specifically towards her. In every single case shown in this film, each child and parent mentions the administrations that did nothing to help them and simply stood by and watched as the bullying continued. The personal stories of bullying focus on a wide range of topics in order to emphasize that the actual bullying and the effects of it cannot be fit into a mold and affects people of all races, ages, and backgrounds. This insight motivates viewers even more to “be the change” and join the stand against bullying.