Groundbreaking film That Boy which explores themes of hate, forgiveness and radicalisation had a moving premiere at the European Parliament recently.
Date: 16 April 2025
A powerful new film developed by London Metropolitan University academics brings together a reformed violent neo-Nazi and a Roma man who was brutally attacked by 'skinheads' as a child.
That Boy premiered at the European Parliament in Brussels on 9 April 2025 as part of Roma Week, in front of an audience of MEPs, policy experts and civil society groups. The University was also represented by Dean of the School of Sciences and Professions, Kelly Marie Cooper, and Maeva Khachfe, London Met’s Director of Research and Knowledge Exchange.
Believed to be the first film ever to depict a conversation between a former neo-Nazi and a Roma victim, That Boy was created by London Met researchers Professor Michal P. Garapich, Dr Anna Jochymek and Dr Rafal Soborski as part of their work exploring the roots of violent extremism and how to confront rising hate and intolerance across Europe.
The film’s stark and honest conversation saw Roma activist Toby Gorniak MBE sit across a table from Mirek, a former skinhead. Both men, originally from Poland, now live in the UK.
A brutal attack
In the 1990s, Toby was beaten and left for dead as a child by three adult men, targeted simply for being Roma. Following the attack and amid a wave of escalating racist violence, his mother fled the country with the family for their safety—packing a bag and leaving in a taxi with no destination in mind.
In their intense exchange, both men described their early lives. Toby spoke of realising, aged five, that he would always be hated because of his ethnicity. Mirek, in contrast, described a loving childhood until his parents’ divorce. He traced his radicalisation to the emotional fallout of that event, which left him feeling rejected and vulnerable. Seeking belonging, he found brotherhood among violent neo-Nazi skinheads.
Encouraged by Toby’s questioning, Mirek openly described how he descended into hatred and violence, including violence towards women. But living in the UK in his thirties, he encountered multiculturalism and Christianity—and to his surprise, the hatred left him. He attributed the change to the influence of God.
In one deeply moving moment, Mirek shared childhood photographs and discussed the stories behind his tattoos, including a swastika that his daughters have urged him to remove. He explained that he chooses to keep it as a painful reminder of his past.
Now both advocates against hate, Toby works with young people through charitable programmes, while Mirek shares his story to warn others of the dangers of extremism.
Towards the end of the film, Mirek offered Toby a heartfelt apology on behalf of those who attacked him. Asked by the director what he would say to Toby as a child, he replied, visibly emotional: “I would say sorry.” Toby, in turn, thanked Mirek for his courage in meeting him.
For more information on the project, please visit the Everyday transnationalism of the Right page.
Exploring radicalisation
That Boy was produced as part of a research project on the transnationalism of the far right, led by Professor Garapich, Dr Soborski and Dr Jochymek. Their interdisciplinary study examines Polish immigrants’ engagement with right-wing groups in the UK and is funded by UK Research and Innovation.
Professor Michal P. Garapich, from the Global Diversities and Inequalities Research Centre at London Met, said:
“I am grateful to both Mirek and Toby for their courage and candour. We cannot tackle extreme ideologies without understanding their roots, which means speaking directly to those who once held them. This film is especially relevant in today’s world, where far-right ideologies and intolerance are on the rise.”
“That Boy explores the moments when young boys become vulnerable to radicalisation. Our research shows that rejection or abuse from family often makes them susceptible to the appeal of violent ideologies. These are vital lessons for society.”
Dr Anna Jochymek, postdoctoral research assistant at London Met, added:
“Intolerance is rising globally, and our research suggests toxic masculinity often plays a role. We can’t address it without understanding it. Beneath this hard-hitting film lies a hopeful story of redemption and mutual understanding.”
“In today’s uncertain world, That Boy shows us a path away from violence—through dialogue, empathy and accountability.”
The That Boy team outside the European Parliament before the screening.
Left to right: Dr Rafał Soborski, Dr Elżbieta Mirga-Wójtowicz, Prof. Michał P. Garapich, Joanna Gorniak, Dr Anna Jochymek, Toby Gorniak MBE
