The film is available free of charge since it has been… crowdfunded. Sekielski
brothers had decided not to seek commercial sponsors to raise money for the controversial
documentary, but had not problems soliciting donations from munificent private contributors.
Unlike several people who I have talked to, I have stuck it out till
closing credits. Most of viewers I have talked to had to pause in the middle of
watching since the content of the film was too heart wrenching. My tolerance to
dirt is relatively high, but this film made me want to puke several times
during the two-hour watch. The documentary leaves a mark or even a scar and
poses questions rather than gives answers.
Firstly, hats down to victims who had the courage to tell stories of
their trauma to the camera and to confront with the priests who had harassed them.
Secondly, the documentary reminds sexuality is a very delicate sphere of
human psyche. It takes little to harm it and lasts years to recover from a
trauma.
Thirdly, I cannot refrain from sharing the most shocking observation
learnt from a film. Academically, most criminals whom we call paedophiles, are
not genuine paedophiles. A genuine paedophile can reach sexual arousal only in
contact with a child (an adult would not stimulate them). The overwhelming majority
of criminals (including priests) convicted for sexual harassment of children do
not meet such definition. They resort to sexual contacts with children, since the
same activities with adults are, for some reason, out of their reach. This is
the most appalling and disgusting, since I would not consider a girl (let alone
a boy) aged let’s say 17 or less a sexual object. In other words, a girl below
certain age (approximately 17 years) would not even stimulate me sexually. The
most horrifying conclusion, not just after watching the film, but after conversations
with workmates and friends is that the percentage of men who react like me appears
to be smaller than I would expect…
In the public discourse, the film was dubbed as a part of all-out
anti-church campaign. I would refute the accusation the film attacks the Church
as an institution. It points at specific representatives of the clergy who are
guilty of criminal deeds and highlights practices aimed at covering up
incidences of paedophilia, sweeping it under the carpet, disregarding victims. It
also plainly blows a deal to cult of the late Polish Pope whose shameful heritage
in concealing paedophilia crimes is inexcusable.
The timing of film’s release somehow coincides with the home straight of
the campaign before the European election. Striving to foresee the result of
next Sunday’s vote in Poland, I bet the ruling party and the combined
opposition who go neck in neck, will get similar outcome. Much will depend on
the turnout and mobilisation of voters. I will visit the polling station around
the opening hour, before heading for the sanatory. Deep down I hope a situation
from 2015 presidential election when the one who was bound to win did not end
up victoriously, repeats.
Customarily, for the period of being off for holidays, blogging is suspended,
but in mid-June will be resumed with a coverage of the trip or with another
allegedly noteworthy note.
