A fourth grade math class in Miami, Florida was shown almost a half hour of Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey, prompting a response from parents and the school. The slasher film reimagines characters from A.A. Milne’s original book series as bloodthirsty murderers seeking revenge on Christopher Robin. Unrated, the movie’s dark tone and gory kill sequences are not suitable for young audiences.
Now, CBS News Miami reports that the Academy of Innovative Education showed a group of fourth grade math students at the charter school the now-streaming Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey. According to parent Michelle Diaz, the film played for between 20 and 30 minutes, with the teacher not stopping the film because students had chosen it. The movie reportedly caused Diaz’s children to become distressed. Read what Diaz had to say below:
They were exposed 20 to 30 minutes to a movie called Winnie the Pooh, Honey and Blood.He didn’t stop the movie, even though there were kids saying, ‘Hey, stop the movie, we don’t want to want this.’ It’s not for them to decide what they want to. It’s up to the professor to look at the content.
Why Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood & Honey Isn’t Suitable For Kids
Head of the school Vera Hirsh responded to the incident, acknowledging it happened while saying the school “has taken appropriate action to ensure the safety and well-being of students.” Hirsh also said mental health counselors and the school’s principal have met with students who felt impacted by what transpired. Due to the film’s graphic nature, it’s no surprise the school felt the need to respond to a teacher showing kids the film.
The movie’s status as a blood-soaked slasher film featuring beloved childhood characters may be off-putting to children, destroying the image they have of the original. However, it didn’t stop the film from being a success with, Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey 2 already in the works. As this franchise grows, though, adults will have to be more aware of the films to prevent children from watching them.
Despite a premise that may not appeal to everyone, the movie could still appeal to some slasher fans willing to try something new. Since Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey‘s cliffhanger ending could leave viewers wanting more, there’s no telling how many films there could be in the future. However, the incident at the Academy of Innovative Education proves teachers will have to be more aware of classroom screenings featuring Pooh in the future.
