Bully (2017 film)


Bully is a 2017 musical featurette written and directed by Aaron Alon and produced by Thunderclap Productions. Bully is a dramatic musical about Sam Bradley, a young man who kills himself after being repeatedly bullied in school because others suspect he is gay. The story follows Sam in the days leading up to his death and the lives of those around him in the days following his suicide.
Bully premiered in the United States on September 24, 2017, at Alamo Drafthouse – Mason Park in Houston, Texas. The film had its film festival premiere in the 2018 Rainier Independent Film Festival in Ashford, Washington, on May 20, 2018.

Synopsis

The film tells the story of Sam Bradley, a young man who commits suicide after being bullied in school.

Cast

  1. "When" – performed by Danica Dawn Johnston and Brad Goertz ; lyrics and music by Aaron Alon
  2. "The Bullies' Song" – performed by Reggie Choyce, Kiefer Slaton, and Juan Sebastian Cruz ; lyrics and music by Aaron Alon
  3. "Hunter's Song" – performed by Reggie Choyce ; lyrics and music by Aaron Alon
  4. "Start Raising Men" – performed by Steve Hale ; lyrics and music by Aaron Alon
  5. "It Gets Better" – performed by Emma Hayden, Ragan Richardson, Michael J. Ross, and Taelon Stonecipher ; lyrics and music by Aaron Alon
  6. "Hollow House" – performed by Julian A. Puerto; lyrics and music by Aaron Alon
  7. "He's a Child" – performed by Monica Davis and Amanda Passanante ; lyrics and music by Aaron Alon
  8. "Who's Next" – performed by M.E. Frazier, Jr. with Tristan Smith on jazz guitar; lyrics and music by Aaron Alon
  9. "The Bullies' Song - Reprise" – performed by Reggie Choyce, Kiefer Slaton, and Juan Sebastian Cruz ; lyrics and music by Aaron Alon
  10. "Raise Your Voice" – performed by Tamara Siler and company ; lyrics and music by Aaron Alon
  11. "Was" – performed by Danica Dawn Johnston ; lyrics and music by Aaron Alon
  12. "The More It Bleeds" – performed by Patrick Barton, Amy Garner Buchanan, William Sanders, Karen Schlag, Haley Simpson, and company ; lyrics and music by Aaron Alon
  13. "Did He Think" – performed by Brad Goertz ; lyrics and music by Aaron Alon

    Release

Bully premiered in the United States on September 24, 2017, at Alamo Drafthouse – Mason Park in Houston. The second screening occurred April 10, 2018, at the University of Houston. The film had its film festival premiere in the 2018 Rainier Independent Film Festival in Ashford, Washington on May 20, 2018.

Official selections

Bully has been selected for screening at the following festivals and events:
YearAwardCategoryNomineeResult
2018AltFF Alternative Film FestivalBest Feature DramaBullyWon
2018AltFF Alternative Film FestivalBest ActorEdward HenricksonNominated
2018AltFF Alternative Film FestivalBest CinematographyOrlando BrionesNominated
2018Cinema DiverseFestival FavoriteBullyWon
2018Depth of Field International Film FestivalBest of ShowBullyWon
2018Eurasia International Monthly Film FestivalBest DirectorAaron AlonWon
2018Five Continents International Film FestivalBest Fiction Half-Length FilmBullyWon
2018Five Continents International Film FestivalBest Original MusicAaron AlonWon
2018Five Continents International Film FestivalBest Young Actor in a Feature FilmEdward HenricksonWon
2018Five Continents International Film FestivalBest PosterBullyNominated
2018Fort Worth Indie Film ShowcaseBest Overall Domestic FeaturetteBullyWon
2018Fort Worth Indie Film ShowcaseGenre Award: Domestic AwarenessBullyNominated
2018The IndieFEST Film AwardsAward of Merit, LGBTBullyWon
2018International Independent Film AwardsGold Winner: Best Song"Hollow House"Won
2018Lake View International Film FestivalBest LGBT Film of the Month BullyWon
2018Los Angeles Underground Film ForumBest PictureBullyWon
2018Los Angeles Underground Film ForumBest First FeatureBullyWon
2018Los Angeles Underground Film ForumBest Narrative FeatureBullyWon
2018Los Angeles Underground Film ForumBest LGBT FilmBullyWon
2018Los Angeles Underground Film ForumBest Underground FeatureBullyWon
2018Next International Film Festival - NIFF HoustonBest of HoustonBullyWon
2018Out of the Can Film FestivalBest Comedy or MusicalBullyRunner-Up
2018Out of the Can Film FestivalBest First Time DirectorAaron AlonNominee

Funding

The film received grants from the Houston Art Alliance, the John Steven Kellett Foundation, the City of Houston, and donations from over fifty individuals.