DANIEL’S WORLD

Czech Republic, 2014, 75 minutes, Colour.
Directed by Veronika Listova.

Daniel’s World is significant documentary on a very difficult subject, especially in the 21st century, paedophilia having been something of a closed area in the 20th century, but changing, especially when sexual abuse cases emerged.

This film was made for Czech television but it is of interest worldwide. The subject is Daniel, who understands himself as a paedophile but does not wish to abuse children. He appears in several discussions with sexologists and psychologists, explaining his situation, his history, and his understanding himself, acknowledging the restricted aspects of a future life. He is 25 the time of the making, studying literature, has published a children’s book about a mermaid.

He discovered his orientation while young, and further realised that he had an attraction to pre-pubescent boys, thus fulfilling the clinical definition of a paedophile. But, as the opening indicates, the paedophile condition does not mean acting out, especially in harming the children. Daniel does discover a young boy that he is attracted to, falls in love with, permits himself to visit the boy once a month, allowing some hugs, but only in the presence of the boy’s parents. His happiest hours are spent in being with the boy. He has not confided his psychological state to the parents.

The film is important for audiences to look at and listen to. It is clear from Daniel that he is not in favour of child pornography or any legislation in favour of it, or lowering the age of consent. Rather, he is concerned about the psychological state of the child and the child not being involved in experiences beyond comprehension.

Daniel also explains how he went on to the Internet, had discussions online with men with similar problems, received advice and, with a protest march in Prague, he checks with some gay men and is permitted to join the march, with his own banner, “coming out” as a non-threatening paedophile. He is joined by some friends for support.

This is an opportunity for an audience to try to understand the psychological make-up of the condition in which paedophile was born. This raises questions of therapy, change and the possibility of change – or not. It also helps the audience realise that a paedophile will not be able to express the affection felt, and will not have a life partner. Sexual urges will remain in the imagination and fantasy and in masturbation.

Statistics are given about the number of paedophiles, from 5 to 0.1%. And information is also given about the numbers of paedophiles who contemplate suicide.

With so many cases of sexual abuse, within the family, with stepfathers, with those working in institutions of care, with clergy, this profile of the paedophile may be able to throw light on the condition of so many of the offenders.