Documentary film "Stigma" about bullying shown in Narva

On Friday, 5 June at 11:00, the Narva Cultural Centre Rugodiv will screen the short documentary "Stigma", created by Estonian schoolchildren and university students, which addresses school bullying. After the screening, audiences will have the opportunity to participate in a discussion with the filmmakers and a psychologist from Narva Hospital.

The Narva Cultural Centre Rugodiv will screen the short documentary "Stigma" on Friday, 5 June at 11:00, dedicated to the theme of school bullying. The film was created by Estonian schoolchildren and university students.

Film based on six true stories

The film centres on six real-life accounts from people who experienced bullying in childhood and adolescence. The interviewees discuss how these experiences affected their subsequent lives. The project also features well-known figures: public figure Mihhail Kõlvart and popular blogger Liljana. Some participants chose to remain anonymous because they still study in the same groups where bullying occurs, or are not yet ready to discuss it publicly. For this reason, the film uses masks and distorted voices.

Psychologist Marina Mošul also participated in creating the film, helping to arrange interviews with the film's protagonists. According to filmmaker Robinson, the authors wanted to show the consequences of bullying over the years and draw attention to the role of adults in solving this problem. "Adults often don't see bullying as a problem, they dismiss a child's complaints, saying that everything will pass with time. Or they support the bullying," Robinson said.

Tallinn premiere generated strong response

The film premiered in April 2025 at the Kino Museum in Tallinn. According to Robinson, viewers actively shared their own stories after the screening and discussed bullying, which confirmed the relevance of the topic in contemporary society.

"We didn't expect such a reaction and such passionate discussions. One girl started crying at the microphone. She admitted that she herself had been the aggressor as a teenager, bullying her classmates. She said she couldn't help it, that's how she was raised. And what's most paradoxical, the situation is now repeating itself with her son, and they are dealing with it with a psychologist," Robinson said.

Free admission, age 14+

The Narva screening is primarily aimed at schoolchildren, teachers and youth workers, but anyone interested is welcome to attend. After the film is shown, there will be an opportunity to participate in a discussion with the filmmakers and Jevgeni Gadaljšin, a psychologist from Narva Hospital. Admission is free, minimum age 14+.