Netflix film leaves viewers in floods of tears as it 'redefines what it means to be a human'
The Remarkable Life of Ibelin was first released in 2024 and has since been acquired by Netflix, where it has taken the world by storm with viewers and critics alike moved to tears
The emotive documentary The Remarkable Life of Ibelin has left audiences reaching for the tissues, boasting a near-impeccable 97 per cent rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Helmed by director Benjamin Ree, the Norwegian doc, which originally premiered under the name Ibelin at the January 2024 Sundance Film Festival, scooped up both the Audience Award and the Directing Award in the prestigious World Documentary Competition.
This heart-rending biography paints the life of Mats Steen, a courageous Norwegian individual who entered the world battling Duchenne muscular dystrophy—a particularly aggressive variant of the muscle-wasting diseases primarily affecting boys.
As his condition escalated, eliminating his ability to engage in day-to-day life, Mats found refuge in video games, with World of Warcraft becoming his virtual world of choice.
He even created a blog, candidly sharing what everyday existence with such an ailment entails. The Remarkable Life of Ibelin delves into Mats Steen's journey within the Starlight guild of World of Warcraft, capturing how virtual worlds can deeply touch lives, reports Surrey Live.
Critics have been profoundly affected, as one said: "I was completely unprepared for how moving it was really going to be."
Echoing this sentiment, another added: "It's poignant and moving and surprisingly had me in tears, I was instantly connected to the subject of the doc and completely fascinated by this story."
Critics and audiences alike have been captivated by the documentary Ibelin, with one critic hailing it as "a powerful, life-affirming work" and another praising it as "Ibelin is a special film". A further review highlighted the film's immersive quality: "Each movement of the film opens up a new world, and each is affecting in its own way."
The documentary's delicate approach has not gone unnoticed, with a reviewer writing: "Told with a sensitivity that's matched by its subtlety, it earns the waterworks it quickly and consistently elicits."
Even those who were initially sceptical have been won over, as one audience member said: "As a gaming sceptic this movie came as a complete surprise. So insightful and a complete eye-opener. Takes you on an emotional rollercoaster."
The emotional impact of the movie is undeniable, with viewers describing it as "devastating, in the best possible way" and confessing to having "cried almost the entire way through this."
Echoing the sentiment, another viewer shared their experience: "Every once in a while a remarkable human story finds its way onto the big screen. This is one of those films. It is a deeply moving story that shows the deep connections that we all make - even through fictional environments."
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