This episode is not to be missed! This time we look at the award-winning new hybrid documentary “Ibelin”. The film is about Mats “Ibelin” Steen, who lived much of his 25-year life online in the game World of Warcraft, before he died of a congenital muscle disease. The NRK article about him, which came out a few years ago, was the most read ever…and with good reason.
With us we have director Benjamin Ree and Kai Simon Fredriksen (who stars in the film), as well as Eirik Bull (Filmmagasinet’s former editor). Together, Benjamin and Kai talk about the documentary project, about Mats as a person and the collaboration with his family to make the film. We discuss topics such as friendship, World of Warcraft and the social significance gaming culture can have for many. We also get into the animations in the film, the audience reactions, the thoughts behind the documentary and the meetings with both Netflix and the game company Activision Blizzard. A more moving and meaningful story will take a long time to find.