'American Bully' is Philly filmmaker's latest work

A biracial family from the suburbs meets inner city grit, and it's a little uncomfortable. It's a story a local independent filmmaker says must be told about an out-of-control societal ill - bullying.

Screening of "American Bully" kicks off this week in Philadelphia. And FOX 29's Joyce Evans spoke to the man behind the film.

Jermaine Quick wrote it, directed it, and he did the film's score.

The trick to it, he says, is to teach, not preach - keep it real, but not glorify horrible behavior for the sake of entertainment.

"I wanted to touch on something that was really close to me," Quick said.

Almost all of the scenarios depicted really happened. No category of bully or victim is spared.

"Everyone is bullied on every angle," he says.

The film includes 68 actors, all local, including rap artists and some real victims of bullying.

"American Bully" is the independent filmmaker's fourth film.

Ask why now, Quick said, "It's time."

He too was bullied, he says, as a child on the streets of Philadelphia and in the workplace as an electrician.

"It's how verbal bullying can affect you mentally as well as channel it down to your children," he said. "… The key point here is learning what is going on and seeing if you can change."

To make that point, Quick hits on a few social taboos, including women on absentee men and fathers, and the rise of girl gangsters.

Not everybody is going to like what they see.

"No, not every man is going to agree with women's perspectives, and not every bully is going to agree with, you know, how the situation turns out," Quick said.

A special showing of "American Bully" is being held Thursday - red carpet, and all - at 6 p.m. at the Studio Movie Grill on 69th Street.

From here it heads to New York, and then to Los Angeles.

Here are the details on the local screening:

Indie film writer and director Jermaine Quick is premiering a controversial film AMERICAN BULLY Nov. 9, 2017. @ 6pm @ The Studio Movie Grill 53 S. 69th st. on three screens. Casting by Nakia Dillard. This is a Red Carpet event. ... Tickets: $15

American Bully Movie Trailer: https://youtu.be/kNbenDxygLM