A True Story
A True Story
OVERVIEW
OVERVIEW
This short film is based on the life of Mardoche Yembi who was branded as possessed. Following his harrowing account of two years of brutal exorcisms - rituals meant to drive out so-called ‘demon spirits’ but which left him deeply scarred.
This short film is based on the life of Mardoche Yembi who was branded as possessed. Following his harrowing account of two years of brutal exorcisms - rituals meant to drive out so-called ‘demon spirits’ but which left him deeply scarred.
After his mother died in Congo, he was sent to live with relatives in London, where instead of finding safety, he endured relentless psychological abuse. Taken to church to be ‘cleansed,’ he was made to believe he was the problem.
After his mother died in Congo, he was sent to live with relatives in London, where instead of finding safety, he endured relentless psychological abuse. Taken to church to be ‘cleansed,’ he was made to believe he was the problem.
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
Mardoche Yembi was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). After his mother and baby sister died, he was sent to live with relatives in North London at age seven.
Mardoche Yembi was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). After his mother and baby sister died, he was sent to live with relatives in North London at age seven.
ACCUSATION
ACCUSATION
When he was 12, an evangelical pastor and his extended family accused him of kindoki—a Congolese term for witchcraft or possession by evil spirits—and blamed him for family deaths.
When he was 12, an evangelical pastor and his extended family accused him of kindoki—a Congolese term for witchcraft or possession by evil spirits—and blamed him for family deaths.
The Ordeal:
The Ordeal:
He faced severe emotional abuse, death threats, and an exorcism inside a London church.
He faced severe emotional abuse, death threats, and an exorcism inside a London church.
SURVIVAL
SURVIVAL
A foster mother eventually rescued Mardoche. He survived, rebuilt his life, and now works as an advocate against faith-based child abuse.
A foster mother eventually rescued Mardoche. He survived, rebuilt his life, and now works as an advocate against faith-based child abuse.
KEY DETAILS
KEY DETAILS
- Director: Penny Woolcock
- Director: Penny Woolcock
- Lead Actor: Jeriah Kibusi as young Mardoche Yembi
- Lead Actor: Jeriah Kibusi as young Mardoche Yembi
- Release: Early 2025, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of the tragic death of Victoria Climbié, who also suffered faith-based abuse in London.
- Release: Early 2025, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of the tragic death of Victoria Climbié, who also suffered faith-based abuse in London.
- Length: Around 50 minutes.
- Length: Around 50 minutes.
A Scene from Kindoki Witch Boy
Mardoche, his foster Mum & Jeriah (actor)
Jeriah Kibusi (playing Mardoche Yembi)
Film Crew
A Scene from Kindoki Witch Boy
Mardoche, his foster Mum & Jeriah (actor)
Jeriah Kibusi (playing Mardoche)
Film Crew
A Scene from Kindoki Witch Boy
Mardoche, his foster Mum & Jeriah (actor)
Jeriah Kibusi (playing Mardoche)
Film Crew