Latest news with #TheRemarkableLifeofIbelin
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.
Daily Record
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
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."
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Emmys: Netflix Doc ‘The Remarkable Life of Ibelin' Submitted for Exceptional Merit Award (Exclusive)
The Remarkable Life of Ibelin, Norwegian filmmaker Benjamin Ree's Peabody Award-nominated Netflix documentary about a physically-disabled and socially-isolated young man whose vibrant online friend-group is only discovered by his family after his death, has been submitted and accepted for consideration for the Exceptional Merit in Documentary Filmmaking Emmy, The Hollywood Reporter has learned. For this special category, documentaries are submitted to the TV Academy's documentary peer group for initial consideration, and must meet three criteria: (1) exemplary filmmaking, (2) profound social impact and (3) innovation of form. If they clear that hurdle, as Ibelin has, they become ineligible 'in any other documentary/nonfiction special or series program area,' and are forwarded to a special jury, which ultimately picks three or four titles each year for a nomination. In other words, they either end up with a nomination in this category, or none at all. More from The Hollywood Reporter 'The Two Popes' Pops on Netflix Following Francis' Death Emmys: 'Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story' Doc Submitted for Exceptional Merit Award (Exclusive) Netflix Bringing 36 Alfred Hitchcock Movies to New York's Paris Theater (Exclusive) Ibelin had its world premiere at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, where it won the audience award and directing prize in the World Cinema Documentary competition. It went on to receive noms for the top prizes at the IDA Awards, the Critics Choice Documentary Awards and the Cinema Eye Honors, and was also included on the best documentary feature Oscar shortlist. THR previously broke the news that two HBO/Max docs, Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story and Quad Squad, have also been submitted and accepted for consideration for the Exceptional Merit in Documentary Filmmaking Emmy. Best of The Hollywood Reporter 22 of the Most Shocking Character Deaths in Television History A 'Star Wars' Timeline: All the Movies and TV Shows in the Franchise 'Yellowstone' and the Sprawling Dutton Family Tree, Explained
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Blizzard Entertainment® Raises Over $2 Million for CureDuchenne Through World of Warcraft ® Charity Pet Program, Funding Lifesaving Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Research
Inspired by "The Remarkable Life of Ibelin" documentary, Players Around the World Unite to Honor Mats Steen and Drive Groundbreaking Research and Vital Care NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., Feb. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- CureDuchenne, the leading nonprofit dedicated to finding a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, proudly announces the overwhelming success of a recent charity partnership with Blizzard Entertainment ® and massively multiplayer online role-playing game, World of Warcraft®. The campaign, inspired by the late Mats Steen and the award-winning Netflix documentary about his life, The Remarkable Life of Ibelin, raised an impressive $2 million. It is the most significant contribution that CureDuchenne has received from a corporation to date and will support groundbreaking research and vital care programs for individuals affected by Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a rare neuromuscular disease. Mats, a Norwegian World of Warcraft player known in game as Ibelin, was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy as a young boy and sadly, lost his battle with the disease at the young age of 25. In the wake of his death, his family discovered what they thought was a life lived in total isolation was in fact filled with joy, laughter, friendship and love through Mats' adventures in World of Warcraft. The game opened a world of community and connection his family never knew existed and gave him a rich set of friends and experiences that would not have been possible outside of the game environment. Mats was a supportive friend and trusted advisor who made a tremendous impact on the lives of all he encountered in the game. World of Warcraft players had the opportunity to build on Mats' legacy and adopt a limited-edition pet fox, named Reven ("fox" in Norwegian), in World of Warcraft to accompany them on their adventures while supporting CureDuchenne. All proceeds* from The Reven Pack support CureDuchenne's mission to accelerate research toward a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy and improve care for individuals worldwide living with the disease. The global gaming community rallied behind the initiative, making this one of the most successful fundraising collaborations in World of Warcraft's history. The tribute to Mats Steen within the game not only honored his legacy but also sparked worldwide awareness of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, reinforcing the power of community, connection, and storytelling in making a real-world impact. "This campaign has been truly extraordinary—not only in the critical funds raised for research, but in the awareness it has generated for Duchenne muscular dystrophy," said Debra Miller, Founder and CEO of CureDuchenne. "Through this partnership, thousands of families affected by Duchenne have felt seen, heard, and supported in a way that is truly remarkable. The World of Warcraft community has shown that gaming can be a powerful force for good, and we are deeply grateful to Blizzard, the Steen family, and to every player who joined us in honoring Mats Steen and making a real difference in the lives of those affected by Duchenne." "Every day, I'm greatly humbled by the kindness of the World of Warcraft community," said World of Warcraft executive producer, Holly Longdale. "Your generosity in supporting this year's charity pet program for CureDuchenne will help enable their incredible work and honors the deeply impactful life lived by Mats Steen--the inspiration for this year's program. On behalf of the WoW team, thank you to our players, the Steen family, and the CureDuchenne team for bringing awareness to and supporting this cause. We invite all to continue showing their support to CureDuchenne where they can, and to continue to honor the legacy of Ibelin both in-game and out with compassion and joy." *Blizzard Entertainment donated 100% of the purchase price of "The Reven Pack" digital bundle to CureDuchenne, less any chargebacks, refunds, transaction fees, and Value Added Taxes (VAT), or other similar taxes paid. These versions of items are special editions available as part of this initiative only. About CureDuchenneCureDuchenne is the global nonprofit leader in research, patient care, and innovation for improving and extending the lives of those with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a progressive neuromuscular disease that affects about 300,000 individuals around the world. CureDuchenne accelerates research toward a cure for Duchenne by funding early-stage science with the goal of bringing treatments to everyone affected by Duchenne, no matter where they live, what language they speak or their financial status. We also support families through education and outreach and improve standards of care for individuals worldwide with Duchenne, including those in underserved communities. Visit to learn more. About Blizzard Entertainment, known for iconic video game universes including Warcraft®, Overwatch®, Diablo®, and StarCraft®, Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. ( a division of Activision Blizzard, which was acquired by Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), is a premier developer and publisher of entertainment experiences. Blizzard Entertainment has created some of the industry's most critically acclaimed and genre-defining games over the last 30 years, with a track record that includes multiple Game of the Year awards. Blizzard Entertainment engages tens of millions of players around the world with titles available on PC via Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE CureDuchenne Sign in to access your portfolio
