Latest news with #RemarkableLifeofIbelin
Edinburgh Live
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
Netflix movie is 'unmissable' and 'redefines what it means to be a human'
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info The Remarkable Life of Ibelin has left audiences reaching for the tissues, boasting a commendable 97 per cent rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Helmed by Norwegian filmmaker Benjamin Ree, this heart-wrenching documentary made its debut at the Sundance Film Festival in January, 2024. Originally titled Ibelin, the film captivated viewers and critics alike, securing the Audience Award and the Directing Award in the World Documentary category. The story unfolds around Mats Steen, a Norwegian individual who faced the challenges of living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy—a particularly severe form of the condition that predominantly strikes boys. As his mobility declined, Mats found solace and connection through video games, with World of Warcraft becoming a significant outlet. He also maintained a candid blog discussing life with his condition. The Remarkable Life of Ibelin delves deep into Mats' journey and the profound effects that online communities like the Starlight guild in World of Warcraft can impart, reports Surrey Live. (Image: Netflix) Critics have been profoundly touched by the narrative, as one said: "I was completely unprepared for how moving it was really going to be." Echoing similar sentiments, another critic 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 are captivated by the film "Ibelin," with one critic hailing it as "a powerful, life-affirming work", while another declared "Ibelin is a special film". One review highlighted the film's explorative narrative: "Each movement of the film opens up a new world, and each is affecting in its own way." (Image: Netflix) The documentary's approach won particular acclaim for its emotional impact, 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 dubious about the subject matter were transformed by the viewing experience, with an audience review saying: "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 pull of the movie was further underscored by viewers, with one sharing, "devastating, in the best possible way", and another admitting they "cried almost the entire way through this." Adding to the cascade of praise, another viewer reflected on the power of storytelling: "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." The Remarkable Life of Ibelin is streaming on Netflix now.
Irish Daily Mirror
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
‘Devastating' World of Warcraft film has viewers ‘crying entire way through'
The Remarkable Life of Ibelin has left audiences reaching for the tissues, boasting an impressive 97 per cent score on Rotten Tomatoes. The Norwegian documentary, directed by Benjamin Ree and originally titled Ibelin, made its debut at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2024, scooping up two major awards in the World Documentary Competition: the Audience Award and the Directing Award. The film tells the touching story of Mats Steen, a Norwegian man born with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a particularly severe form of inherited muscular dystrophies. As his condition progressed, Mats found solace in video games, especially World of Warcraft, and even started a blog discussing his life with the disease. The Remarkable Life of Ibelin delves into Mats' experiences within the World of Warcraft guild Starlight, highlighting the profound influence online gaming communities can have. Critics have been deeply affected by the film's emotional depth, with one saying: "I was completely unprepared for how moving it was really going to be." Another critic 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.", reports Surrey Live. The film received widespread acclaim from critics, with one reviewer hailing it as "a powerful, life-affirming work" and another praising it as "Ibelin is a special film". A further critic noted: "Each movement of the film opens up a new world, and each is affecting in its own way." The documentary's thoughtful approach was also commended, with one reviewer saying: "Told with a sensitivity that's matched by its subtlety, it earns the waterworks it quickly and consistently elicits." The audience's response mirrored the critics', with one viewer adding: "As a gaming sceptic this movie came as a complete surprise. So insightful and a complete eye-opener. Takes you on an emotional rollercoaster." One viewer described the film as "devastating, in the best possible way", while another confessed to having "cried almost the entire way through this." Another audience member echoed the sentiment, saying: "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." The emotional impact of the film was a recurring theme, with many viewers and critics alike praising its ability to move and inspire. The Remarkable Life of Ibelin is streaming on Netflix now.
