That Boy

The film captures an extraordinary encounter between Toby Gorniak MBE, a Roma activist and refugee who fled Poland in the early 1990s after attacks by neo-Nazi skinheads, and Mirek, a former neo-Nazi and football, now born-again Christian. Their conversation explores the roots of hate, its consequences, and the fragile possibilities of reconciliation. While rooted in Toby’s lived experience of persecution and resilience, the film also traces Mirek’s transformation from a life of hate and violence to becoming an advocate against extremism. His testimony provides unique insights into the psychology of extremism and the potential for redemption. By bringing together victims and former oppressor, the film examines the healing potential of restorative justice in cases of hate crimes and violent racism. Through raw storytelling and compelling testimonies, the film reveals how personal transformation, and honest dialogue can become powerful tools for fostering understanding and challenging hatred.

Director: Toby Gorniak; Film Concept Michał P. Garapich; Executive Producers: Toby Gorniak MBE, Michał P. Garapich, Video Production: New Vandal Media, Academic Supervision: Anna Jochymek, Rafal Soborski, Michał P. Garapich Funding & Academic Support Economic and Social Research Council, London Metropolitan University Consultation Fiyaz Mughal OBE, Faith Matters