Independent Irish feature Bully, from writer/director Stephen Gaffney, is now available to buy or rent online, via GumRoad.
The film follows Karl, a sixth year student preparing to sit his Leaving Cert exams, who becomes the target of a gang of bullies. With no support from his family and no friends to turn to, Karl falls victim to the psychological manipulation of a school teacher and soon turns to social media as a form of escapism where he develops an online friendship with a woman.
The principal cast of Bully includes Ciaran MacCabe (Two Hearts), Kieran O’Reilly (Love/Hate), James Ward (Love/Hate), Chelsea O’Connor (Jimmy’s Hall), and Aislinn Ni Uallachain (Impetuous). They are supported by Dean Sherlock, George Bracebridge, Justine O’Rourke, Aaron O’Connell Blake, Saoirse Doyle, Sandra Hayden Mason, Olivia Fahy, and Richard Mason. Gaffney produces the film, with Erica Keegan co-producer and assistant director.
Gaffney’s short The Deep Web, after which he named his production company, screened last year at the Light House Cinema and as part of the Underground Cinema short film series. Bully marks his feature directorial début. Earlier this year the film debuted at the Underground Cinema Film Festival.