Untold Stories

Untold Stories Screening Evaluation Results - Nov. 7, 2008 (download as pdf)

4 peer groups in Waterville, Maine from high schools
41 Youth
5 Youth Advisors

Question 1: More aware of the problem of bullying / harassment / peer aggression?

39 Yes
7 No

Question 2: More sensitive to the fact that young people are being hurt and are in pain?

35 Yes
9 Somewhat
2 No

Comments on answer:

It made me feel sorry for the girls and I put myself in their position and it is not a good feeling
because it showed real feelings
because people are inflicting more pain on themselves
A variety of issues were represented
I said yes, because it is a serious situation.
Because you actually see someone go through this through their perspective
because the issue is vast and alarming and I think we need to come together in unison and help
because people don't need to be treated poorly
it shows more of how peoples words can affect others
I can now see the effects of it and what takes place behind closed doors
it makes you really think to just say hi to someone who may feel alone, it can make a change
It is a lot more painful than just the share at school
I never knew bullying was this much of a problem
Bully is an awful thing
because it is not nice to bully other people
because it hurts me. I was bullied for nine years and I know how they feel.
This serves as a reminder that this is going on.
It makes it more powerful to see it portrayed.
Didn't realize it occurred that often
It was a good example to open people's eyes. just that it can get very bad and kids go to the extreme
because I do the same thing that Alex and Jordan do
because of bullying and harassment
because I don't like to see people hurt
because they could get hurt
because some stuff like this happens at our school
because I go through this. I used to be one of them so I know people
because people shouldn't be bullied so I'm not a sensitive person
It grabs my attention and helps me realize that it is a problem
It was interesting to watch how badly they were hurt.
because they are not happy
Watching the movie opened my eyes and made me realize what people actually go through if they are bullied
yes because you were able to see what happens when someone is bullied and what they actually go home and do
they don't show it, it could be going on in my school
She did not appear "fat" so seems like kids are picked on "just because"

Question 3: What were the highlights of the screening for you today? What stuck out?

because I guess I never realized that girls would go to that extreme! Cutting I mean.
what the bullies said; how the girls got treated; how it made them feel; the cutting and the vomiting
the scene with the blood and sick at the end, very powerful - girl speaking at the end awesome
the crying and the cutting, it showed what some people really do
Everything was right on as far as issues. The things they said / talked about. It was like every other high school
How people are hurting themselves even more intentionally thinking it will make them feel better
The Alex girl and what happened to her
How she reacted towards the harassment
The dialogue and scenarios were realistic, and not overdone, giving the film more power. I'm sure it will touch many people, and create awareness.
the name calling; cyberbullying
The ending where the Director is speaking
the painful choice to start cutting yourself; when the director spoke at the end of the film
how upset the girls were with what others thought of them, they obviously had really low self-esteem
it was fairly realistic
The fact that the parents just went in with their children and assumed they were fine, when in fact they need help. Also in the guidance office, I found it very shocking that he did virtually nothing
when they got bullied in more than one way The girl cutting her wrist - it showed just how much pain she was in internally to resort to that.
the whole thing
it was good
throwing the underwear at Alex
The fact that so much happens "behind the scenes" away from adult view.
The hurt bullying causes
emotion - the toll it takes on someone’s mind Course of action taken by the girls being harassed
The girls struggles from bullying
the cutting and making yourself throw up and people starting rumors and all of that stuff
cutting and throwing up and pain from the rumors
The cutting stuck out
The fact that the bullying was done by other females as well as males
It does a good job of portraying the effects of bullying from the victims point of view
It is a realistic movie the pain and situations that the girls went through is real and does happen.
The pain the girls went through from being bullied.
That bullying is a big problem
The difference between what their problem was but now both girls were hurt so they were alike
The girl who cut herself and was always getting bullied.
Alex cutting herself, adults including parents are unaware

Question 4: Please rate the potential usefulness of this movie to raise awareness (on a scale of 1 to 5, 5 being the highest).

15 Five
23 Four
7    Three
1    Two
0    One

Question 5: Do you have suggestions or input for us? What, if anything, could be done to improve the movie or add to it?

maybe try and make it more realistic.
Like some things they say are childish or corny not as mean as it could be
some things that were said were not as realistic as others
more background on the two girls. Confused at times of who was who and issues leading up to why they did what they did; certain parts are hard to take serious (acting, etc.)
I thought it was great. At first I was confused, I didn't realize there were two people
It was good.
The beginning was confusing with the two friends splitting up.
Maybe how it could be fixed Characters were somewhat unclear at times.
Add more to the story make it long by adding more detail
you could even add more to the ending, it seemed very short
it's good as it is
nothing
explain how the bully feels
characters were a bit unclear I thought Sarah was on welfare?? She did not look like she was
maybe use a boy situation as well as a girls
It was good
I think it was gruesome
I think it was good.
no, well done
It was a bit confusing at times to follow which girl is which and what the storyline was.
I thought the ending was good when they panned to all the kids.
(show) how they got through some of the hard times
put some bad influences
The movie is perfect the way it is - I was almost in tears watching it.
If someone relates to this what should they do
more bullying in the beginning. She was sort of stressed over something little.
I like how the movie was, but some of the people needed more practice in acting
Better acting and a distinction between the two girls. I got confused.
better acting
No, it was pretty good.
I never really understood whose story I was watching - the girls looked alike - and what happened to the girl on food stamps?

Question 6: Would you recommend this movie to others?

43 Yes
0 No
3 No comment

Comments on answer:

middle school, high school
MS & HS
MS & HS
Yes. My school has these problems and people don't seem to understand the effect it has on people.
Just middle school because I see it there more
it's a wake up call because many kids do cut today
probably not I doubt I would have the guts
definitely
because it shows bullying
quite powerful
but is does have potential to bring hard feelings / memories / thoughts to past victims.
very sad but also powerful
depends on what context
It was an eye opener
It's an eye opener

Question 7: In the space below, please share a thought, insight, or experience that we could use to tell others about “Untold Stories”

It would allow them to feel how some people feel when they are bullied
It is hard to believe that two beautiful girls were concerned about weight, however peers do have power over their friends so it is good to see that no matter what you look like it can happen to you
more people are being bullied than people think
I liked the movie. I know a lot of "Alex" and "Jordan' s
There is a girl in my school and 3 of my friends harass her every day and I try to tell them it’s not right but they don't seem to understand.
I remember back in middle school there was one person that was always picked on, this movie makes me realize more why these people do what they do to themselves. Now that I know this I know how to help too. I think that "Untold Stories" will be a true eye opener especially for adults who are unaware of these issues.
Its just something we are so use to seeing that you often forget
it is very powerful; this stuff happens every day
powerful message that all should consider viewing
cutting is a serious problem that needs to be addressed
other people’s word or actions really do stick with people. Even "just kidding" don't mend the wound. I don't think people understand the effect they have on others
It was the best most well done movie on this subject and kept me interested throughout the whole thing. Thanks so much for sharing
It shows how serious bullying is
I get threatened and bullied and pushed in school
That bullying is not fun because I got bullied for 9 years and still today I am getting bullied.
this should be shown to every grade 7-12 student in the state of Maine
very powerful
I can see that lots of students struggle with bullying. how people cut because they are so depressed because that's what I do. I always do that for my depression.
I almost started crying.
How people cut because they are so depressed, because that's what I do when I am depressed
Constantly told that you are fat so bad that you start to believe it yourself. People say you are ugly so you cover up with make up.
I have been where these girls are and that just wants to know that there are more and more people being hurt by bullying every day.
My concern is that some young people may see cutting as a solution or what is expected.
Well I have been bullied by notes before. Someone took all my notes I had given someone and bullied me by passing them around the school for everyone to read and make fun of.

Other verbal comments post screening:

boys issues missing
show it to every middle and high school in Maine at the beginning of each school year
girl would show it at their weekly school meeting which can be extended she will talk to Nancy
Did not like it because it portrayed adults in a very negative way.
It was intense