Film screening and discussion: That Boy & Beyond the Divide - Instytut Pileckiego

Film screening and discussion: "That Boy & Beyond the Divide"

This film evening explores how encounters and dialogue can become possible in the context of racist violence and extremist ideologies. At its center are two films that document powerful conversations between those affected and former perpetrators: Beyond the Divide (2025) by Imoje Aikhoje and That Boy (2025) by Toby Gorniak.

Beyond the Divide brings together a Black British activist and a former neo-Nazi in a confrontational exchange. Their encounter reveals the personal and societal roots of far-right radicalization and raises the question of whether and under what conditions something like forgiveness can even be imagined.

That Boy tells the story of Toby Gorniak, a Roma activist who was forced to flee from Poland to the United Kingdom after racist attacks in the 1990s, and his meeting with a former Polish neo-Nazi. The film presents a layered portrait of lives connected through violence, showing how difficult - but also how necessary - it can be to confront these histories through direct dialogue.

Both films open up a space to engage with the causes of hatred, the lasting impact of violence, and the possibilities for personal transformation. They highlight how complex and contradictory such encounters are – shaped by pain, responsibility, and the challenge of truly listening to one another.

Following the screenings, we invite you to join a discussion with the filmmakers. Together, we will reflect on the making of the films, the experiences of those involved, and the role such conversations can play in addressing racism and far-right violence today.

wi45VeyD277p39ocA