The Tillman Story film-makers to appeal MPAA's R rating

The parties will appeal the certification on August 12, eight days before The Weinstein Company’s scheduled release of the acclaimed Sundance premiere.

The MPAA awarded the rating based on the film’s “excessive language” as it recounts a family’s struggle to uncover the truth behind their son’s death in Afghanistan.

“Of course there is excessive language,” Battsek said. “This is a film that follows a truly exemplary family torn apart by the death of their loved one and the barrage of government deceit they encountered in their pursuit of the honest truth.  We should be looking at this film as a way to show our younger generation the power of true family values and the sometimes unfortunate failings of our government.”

Bar Lev added: “[T]he language in this film is not gratuitous. I think this is how many people would react when faced with the unthinkable. Giving this film an R rating prevents young people from seeing this film; the very people who should be exposed to a great American like Pat Tillman.”

“This is one of the most important films I’ve distributed in my career,” Harvey Weinstein said, “and I want my teenage daughter, and the nation’s young adults to be able to watch Pat’s story. We need to learn from this story and limiting who can see it is not the answer.”