Harvey Weinstein stands down over Bully rating
Movie censors have given movie mogul Harvey Weinstein's controversial new film Bully a PG-13 rating after he agreed to re-edit it for younger audiences.
Bosses at The Motion Picture Association of America initially slapped the documentary with a restrictive R rating, which bans young children from seeing the film without an adult.
The Weinstein Company boss argued that Bully was essential viewing
for kids as it raised awareness and should be shown in schools.
A host of stars, including Justin Bieber and Meryl Streep, added
their names to a petition aimed at making the censors change their
minds and Weinstein subsequently announced he would release the
movie, unrated, in a limited number of theatres.
But he has now decided to re-edit a crucial scene, which featured
expletives, to land Bully a PG-13 rating, enabling younger
teenagers to see the movie.
A statement from the National Association of Theatre Owners reads,
"We are pleased the Weinstein Co. respected the rules and processes
of the voluntary ratings system by editing and resubmitting Bully
in order to receive the PG-13 rating."