Zabawa w chowanego - film review

The recently released film by Sekielski brothers is a continuation of “Tylko nie mów nikomu” which a year ago provoked a fierce discussion on the problem of paedophilia among clergy. The second film, though similarly heart-wrenching, does not smash as badly as the first one, which has brought the problem to wider audience.

Having watching “Zabawa w chowanego” (literally "Playing hide and seek") I feel anything but taken aback. Confessions by victims of harassment confirm such childhood trauma leaves a scar for the entire lifetime. The main emotion the film has left me with is gratitude that my psyche has not been broken by such distress. Gratitude for lack of miseries inflicted by the fate upon us is what we forget about. Instead, we should profoundly and consciously foster it.

The biggest sin of the Church, regardless of the country is covering up cases of paedophilia. The Polish pope has had a substantial contribution to it. Frequent incidences of sweeping the muck under the carpet bring out an impression that sinful priests (or simply criminals) are outlaws, since only on account of their profession they get away with punishment.

The film also strikes with insolence of perpetrators, who deny their responsibility for harm inflicted for their (already adult) victims.

Quite interesting is the mechanism of sexual violence towards children, which is common for all culprits, not just priests. It rests on ease with which an unmindful victim gives in. A child is the easiest person to manipulate (compare it to harassing an adult), which actually adds to cruelty of the deeds.

On Wednesday TVPiS has broadcasted a counter-document on the same problem among celebrities. The film was slashed on account of poor evidence material presented therein, yet since I have not watched it, I refrain from commenting on it. I recall last year TVPiS attempted to detract from the problem of paedophilia among priests, quoting statistics the number of paedophiles was higher with locksmiths or bricklayers. Their dim-witted audience might have not noticed bricklayers or locksmiths rarely deal with children. While priests, teachers, sport coaches and therapists do, therefore peril of the problem varies depending on a profession.