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 for-
mer neo-Nazi and football, now born-again Christian. Their con-
versation explores the roots of hate, its consequences, and the
fragile possibilities of reconciliation. While rooted in Toby’s lived ex-
perience of persecution and resilience, the film also traces Mirek’s
transformation from a life of hate and violence to becoming an ad-
vocate 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 ex-
amines 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 hon-
est dialogue can become powerful tools for fostering understand-
ing 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