'Bully' Director at Maiden Alley Cinema Tonight

One of the most talked-about new movies is the documentary "BULLY" directed by Lee Hirsch. "BULLY" will be shown again this weekend at Maiden Alley Cinema.

Hirsch will be in Paducah Friday night at 6 to talk about his documentary. Tickets are $10 and proceeds will go to The Bully Project.

"We are so thrilled that the new movie "BULLY" is coming to Paducah," said Susan Guess. "This is a very important documentary and we have worked very hard to get the movie here so that we can share the stories of these young people who suffered the impact of being bullied."

Guess spearheaded an effort to bring the movie to the community via an online voting competition sponsored by the movie's producers.

"With the help of many people in this community, we were the number three vote-getter in the competition. We've been told that the director, Lee Hirsch, will also be coming to Paducah, but we don't have confirmed dates and times as yet. We hope to hear about that soon. That will be very exciting for Paducah."

Guess, whose daughter was bullied, has created a fund with the help of a $7,000 donation from benefactors John and Vivian Williams. The Guess Anti-Bullying Fund is being administered by the West Kentucky Community Foundation. Donations to the fund can be sent to the Foundation at 333 Broadway, Suite 615, Paducah, KY 42001.

It is estimated that 160,000 children miss school every day due to fear of attack or intimidation by other students. Approximately one in seven students in grades K-12 is either a bully or a victim of bullying. And about 15 percent of all school absenteeism is directly related to fears of being bullied at school.

"Bringing a film like 'BULLY' to Paducah is what Maiden Alley Cinema is all about," said Landee W. Bryant, Executive Director of Maiden Alley. "Our mission has always been to show people that film can move you, entertain you, educate you, and even motivate a change in ideas. That is why the medium means so much to me. You can't watch a film and not be affected in some way. 'BULLY' is such a film and we're all so proud to share it with our community. I am so moved by the diligent efforts of Susan and the community as a whole to make this possible."

Showings are scheduled for May 1-3, May 4-6, and May 7-10. Prices are $4.75 for children and students, $5.25 for seniors and for shows before 5 pm. For shows after 5 pm adult ticket prices are $7.25. The box office opens one hour before each showing.

For more details visit the Maiden Alley Cinema website at www.maidenalleycinema.org.

Information submitted by Maiden Alley Cinema.