Films about school bullying shed light on the harsh reality faced by many students in educational settings. These films often explore the psychological and emotional impact of bullying, the power dynamics at play, and the efforts to combat this pervasive issue.
“Bully”, 2001
Director: Larry Clark
This documentary follows the lives of five students who face bullying on a daily basis. It provides a raw and unflinching look at the impact of bullying on young people and the challenges they encounter in seeking help.
Starring: Brad Renfro, Bijou Phillips, Rachel Miner, Nick Stahl, Michael Pitt, Leo Fitzpatrick, Kelli Garner, Daniel Franzese, Nathalie Paulding, Jessica Sutta, Ed Amatrudo, Steve Raulerson, Judy Clayton, Alan Lilly, Irene B. Colletti, Elizabeth Dimon, Ru Flynn, Jo-Aynne Von Born, Marc Pearson, Joseph Shrouder, Scott McHugh, John Parker, Phillip Ortiz, Lindzee Warren, Alexandra Steele, Sam Steele, Rick Amicucci, Rick Seguso, Jesse Dechant, Frank Ilarraza, Anthony Barrineau, Derek Oliveira, Carlos Hernandez, Danny Norton, Paul Aldanée, Trish Dempsey, Deborah Smith Ford, Brent Joseph, Sarah Knowlton, Joseph Marhee, Al Quinn;
Production year: 2001;
Genre: drama, crime, biography;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 108 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,9;
More information about the film “Bully” on the website imdb.com
“Mean Girls”, 2004
Director: Mark Waters
A comedic take on the high school social hierarchy, this film delves into the manipulative and often hurtful behaviors that can occur among teenage girls. It highlights the consequences of gossip, exclusion, and psychological bullying.
Starring: Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams, Lizzy Caplan, Lacey Chabert, Amanda Seyfried, Tina Fey, Tim Meadows, Jonathan Bennett, Daniel Franzese, Amy Poehler, Ana Gasteyer, Neil Flynn, Daniel DeSanto, Rajiv Surendra, Diego Klattenhoff, David Reale, Elana Shilling, Graham Kartna, Ely Henry, David Aherne, Ayo Agbonkpolo, Molly Shanahan, Jonathan Malen, Jeff Moser, Miranda Edwards, Les Porter, Eve Crawford, Jack Newman, Michelyn Emelle, Bathsheba Garnett, Ky Pham, Danielle Nguyen, Alisha Morrison, Chris Ploszczansky, Dwayne Hill, Jan Caruana, Wai Choy, Julia Chantrey, Jacky Chamberlain, Olympia Lukis, Stefanie Drummond, Kristen Bone, Jessie Wright, Tyson Fennell, Stephan Dickson, Andreja Punkris, Noelle Boggio, Jordan Dawe, Alexandra Stapley, Laura de Carteret;
Production year: 2004;
Genre: comedy;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 97 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,1;
More information about the film “Mean Girls” on the website imdb.com
“The Karate Kid”, 2010
Director: Harald Zwart
A classic underdog story, this film portrays a young boy who faces relentless bullying at the hands of his peers. Through his training in martial arts, he learns to stand up for himself and confront his tormentors.
Starring: Jackie Chan, Jaden Smith, Taraji P. Henson, Han Wenwen, Yu Rongguang, Wu Zhensu, Wang Zhiheng, Wang Zhenwei, Jared Minns, Lu Shijia, Zhao Yi, Bo Zhang, Luke Carberry, Cameron Hillman, Ghye Samuel Brown, Rocky Shi, Wang Ji, Harry Van Gorkum, Tess Du Cray, Guo Xinhua, Zhai Jijun, Shun Li, Wu Yanyan, Ji Tao, Chen Jing, Liu Wentai, Liang Geliang, Xu Ming, Adrienne Banfield-Jones, Hannah Joy, Mohan Kapur, Bill Mackie, Zhou Xiaofei;
Production year: 2010;
Genre: drama, sport, family;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 140 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,2;
More information about the film “The Karate Kid” on the website imdb.com
“Carrie”, 2013
Director: Kimberly Peirce
This horror film showcases the extreme consequences of bullying as the titular character, Carrie, experiences relentless mistreatment from her classmates. The story takes a supernatural turn as Carrie's telekinetic powers manifest in response to the trauma she endures.
Starring: Chloë Grace Moretz, Julianne Moore, Judy Greer, Portia Doubleday, Gabriella Wilde, Ansel Elgort, Alex Russell, Barry Shabaka Henley, Zoë Belkin, Samantha Weinstein, Karissa Strain, Katie Strain, Demetrius Joyette, Arlene Mazerolle, Evan Gilchrist, Eddie Max Huband, Tyler Rushton, Connor Price, Jefferson Brown, Cynthia Preston, Philip Nozuka, Kyle Mac, Max Topplin, Mouna Traoré, Derek McGrath, Chris Britton, Hart Bochner, Cassandra Caccioppoli, Annie Chen, Amanda Jane Crist, Mathew Dale, Natalie Dale, Lucy DeLaat, James Fanizza, Alex Gordon, Shawna Greenspan, Travis Hedland, Peter Hewitt, Samantha Hutchinson, Chanelle Larocque, William MacDonald, AirRese Marie, Holly Miranda, Michelle Nolden, Nykeem Provo, Arnold Pinnock, Irene Poole, Alana Randall, Kim Roberts, Amber Sharp;
Production year: 2013;
Genre: thriller, horror, drama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 100 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 5,8;
More information about the film “Carrie” on the website imdb.com
“My Bodyguard”, 1980
Director: Tony Bill
A coming-of-age film that follows a new student who becomes the target of a school bully. He forms an unlikely friendship with a fellow student who serves as his bodyguard, leading to a showdown that challenges the dynamics of power and fear in the school.
Starring: Chris Makepeace, Adam Baldwin, Matt Dillon, Paul Quandt, Hank Salas, Joan Cusack, Dean R. Miller, Tim Reyna, Richard Bradley, Denise Baske, Vicky Nelson, Tom Rielly, Paul Charbonneau, Laura Salenger, Bert Hoddinott, Cindy Russ, Laurie McEathron, Lori Mandell, Dean Devlin, Ruth Gordon, Martin Mull, John Houseman, Craig Richard Nelson, Kathryn Grody, Dick Cusack, Dorothy Scott, Angelo Anthony Buscaglia Jr., Kitt York, Marge Kotlisky, Tim Kazurinsky, Bill Koza, Vivian Smolen, Bruce Jarchow, Andrea Dillon, Leonard Mack, George Wendt, Jerome Myers, Freddy Moss, Joseph Cohn, Pat Billingsley, Barbara Hoddinott, Eddie Gomez, Jennifer Beals, Sandra Bogan, Gary Houston, Steve Rozic;
Production year: 1980;
Genre: drama, comedy, family;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 96 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,1;
More information about the film “My Bodyguard” on the website imdb.com
These films offer diverse perspectives on the issue of school bullying, portraying the emotional turmoil and resilience of those affected while addressing the complexities of adolescent social dynamics.
The selection of films about school bullying offers a poignant and thought-provoking exploration of the impact of bullying on individuals and communities. These films skillfully capture the complexities of this pervasive issue, portraying the emotional turmoil and lasting effects experienced by both the victims and the perpetrators. By shedding light on the harsh realities of bullying, these films serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of empathy, understanding, and proactive measures to combat such behavior. They encourage audiences to engage in meaningful conversations and take action to create safer and more inclusive environments for all. Ultimately, these films not only entertain but also inspire reflection and advocacy, making them essential contributions to the cinematic landscape.
