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Mid-state documentarians address the issue of bullying in new film

Halangarde Pictures

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WMOT)  --  The suicide death of a 14-year-old LaVergne girl in September after her family says she was bullied is adding poignancy to the mid-state release of a new documentary film on the subject.

Much of the film “Hear Me Now” was shot here in Middle Tennessee and will debut at the Belcourt Theatre November 3, 2015.   Nashville resident and documentarian Bill Cornelius says he was bullied as a child and has always wanted to find a constructive way to address the problem. He says today’s children face an even bigger challenge.

“Kid’s just can’t go home from school and be away from it. They’ve got Facebook. They’ve got all these social media and things that they can’t escape. A lot of times that’s become a completely different monster that’s made it a lot more challenging for police to kind of protect young people.”

In late September LaVergne resident Sherokee Harriman stabbed herself to death in a city park. Family members say she was being bullied. Police say they’re combing through digital media for clues and will present their findings to the grand jury.

Cornelius says the film “Hear Me Now” encourages children being bullied to ask for help and -- through the voices of bullying survivors -- offers hope for the future.

Would you like to see a movie trailer for the film "Hear Me Now?"