los angeles times / with video: 'Bully' documentary reclassified as PG-13 following Ann Arbor teen's efforts

By Bob Needham Entertainment Director

Posted on Fri, Apr 6, 2012 : 9:25 a.m.

The Los Angeles Times reports that the documentary movie "Bully" will go into wide release with a rating of PG-13—bringing victory to a nationwide effort by Ann Arbor student Katy Butler to change an initial R rating.

Butler drew national attention for an online petition drive that has gathered more than a half-million signatures to change the rating.

The Motion Picture Association of America, the movie rating agency, initially gave the movie an R rating (which would limit its audience among teens) due to profanity. The Times reports that the Weinstein Co., which produced the movie, agreed to three minor audio cuts in order to get the lower rating, but the most controversial scene remains intact.

The Weinstein Co. had earlier said it would release the movie with no rating rather than live with the R.

"Bully" is currently in limited release; it expands somewhat next week and is scheduled to open April 20 at the State Theatre in Ann Arbor.

Watch the trailer for "Bully" here:

Tags: movies,

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Bob Needham is director of entertainment content for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at bobneedham@annarbor.com or 734-623-2541, and follow him on Twitter @bobneedham.