SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KTIV) -
It's designed to open our eyes to the dangers of bullying and the impact on the kids who get caught in the middle, but a documentary filmed in Sioux City known as the "Bully Project" has been given an "R" rating.
And, that may keep some kids from seeing it, unless their supervised by their parents.
The Weinstein Company is distributing the movie and planning for a release next month with a new name, "Bully."
The film features several kids and their families from across the country, including Alex Libby, who at the time was a student at Sioux City's East Middle School.
Libby's father and the Weinstein Company testified at a Classification and Rating Appeals Board hearing on Thursday in California, trying to get the "R" rating changed to a "PG-13."
They were denied, but Philip Libby says he's proud that his son and others in the movie are still making a statement.
"He's basically the face of the fight against bullying with this film, and the other kids in the film are basically the face of everything that's going on in the movement and trying to end bullying," said Philip Libby, Alex Libby's father.
Although more than half of the appeals board favored lowering the rating, rules state that a two-thirds vote is necessary.
The Classification and Rating Administration gave the documentary an "R" rating because of "some language" in the film.
Despite the rating, Libby says it's still important that parents bring their children to the movie because it provides a source of inspiration.
"I've spoken with parents and kids, and it's all been the same kind of stories they give. 'My son's been bullied for so and so and I think this film will really help him or my daughter has been bullied or I've been bullied,'" said Libby.
Classification and Rating Administration Chairman Joan Graves released a statement stating that while they acknowledge the seriousness of bullying, "the MPAA also has the responsibility, however, to acknowledge and represent the strong feedback from parents throughout the country who want to be informed about content in movies, including language."
The movie open in Los Angeles and New York City on March 30th.
