Some 13 million children are reportedly bullied in the U.S. each year, with nearly 300,000 experiencing an attack each month. Filmmaker Bill Cornelius's documentary tells a handful of stories from the perspective of teens and some adults, who have lived through physical and emotional abuse at the hands of others and come out stronger—even though bullying drove some to self-harm and the brink of suicide. The wide range of interviewees—students, teachers, counselors, musicians, and others—recount painful episodes of physical altercations and/or emotional attacks. To make things worse, many received no support (and, in some cases, the authority figures were doing the bullying themselves). Interestingly, the targets of bullying here are reticent about slinging pain back at their tormentors, recognizing that “no one wakes up in the morning thinking they are a bully” and trying to understand the underlying motivations. Former bullies are also interviewed—with some citing family and peer issues of their own—including one from a supportive loving family who would publicly make fun of others in order to seek laughing approval (when this individual changed schools and found himself being ridiculed, he began to realize the damaging impact of his earlier actions). In addition to exploring the issue of bullying, Hear Me Now spotlights avenues for support, including Stand for the Silent (created by the parents of a teen who committed suicide after bullying), the Girl Talk group, outreach from survivors of the Columbine High School massacre, and various artistic outlets. Offering a powerful examination of a perennial problem, this is highly recommended. Aud: J, H, C, P. (C. Block)
Hear Me Now
(2015) 51 min. DVD: $89: public libraries & high schools; $195: colleges & universities. DRA. Green Planet Films. PPR. Closed captioned. Volume 32, Issue 1
Hear Me Now
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