Mats Steen, a Norwegian gamer, died of a degenerative muscular disease at the age of 25. His parents mourned what they thought had been a lonely and isolated life, when they started receivin... Read allMats Steen, a Norwegian gamer, died of a degenerative muscular disease at the age of 25. His parents mourned what they thought had been a lonely and isolated life, when they started receiving messages from online friends around the world.Mats Steen, a Norwegian gamer, died of a degenerative muscular disease at the age of 25. His parents mourned what they thought had been a lonely and isolated life, when they started receiving messages from online friends around the world.
- Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy
- 14 wins & 31 nominations total
Mats Steen
- Self - Ibelin
- (archive footage)
Mikkel Neilsen
- Self - Nikmik
- (as Mikkel Riknagel Nielsen)
Xenia-Anni Neilsen
- Self - Reike
- (as Xenia-Anni Nielsen)
Rikke Nielsen
- Self - Etaine
- (voice)
Tor Bjørn Torp
- Self
- (voice)
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Featured reviews
A must see for everyone. A heartwarming and touching movie about my fellow Norwegian man. I cried and got to think about his life when he lived. No spoilers so just sit back and feel the movie.
You will not be disappointed at all. Ibelin has been in Norwegian media for some time and I was wondering if this could be a good movie, so hell yeah... Shows me as a father that when kids are more in a virtual word it's not necessarily a bad thing. It's just something I don't understand just yet.
So please sit back and let the movie take you through a young man's world so far away from our world. And if you are living in Ibelins world; I salute you 🇳🇴
You will not be disappointed at all. Ibelin has been in Norwegian media for some time and I was wondering if this could be a good movie, so hell yeah... Shows me as a father that when kids are more in a virtual word it's not necessarily a bad thing. It's just something I don't understand just yet.
So please sit back and let the movie take you through a young man's world so far away from our world. And if you are living in Ibelins world; I salute you 🇳🇴
Ibelin is a deeply moving documentary that beautifully captures the unexpected ways people connect in the digital world. It tells the story of Mats Steen, a young Norwegian gamer who passed away at 25 from a degenerative muscular disease. His parents, who believed Mats lived a lonely and isolated life, were overwhelmed when they started receiving heartfelt messages from his online friends around the globe. Through these messages, the film reveals how gaming gave Mats a sense of belonging and deep friendships that defied the physical limitations of his condition.
Watching Ibelin was an emotional experience; almost everyone in the theater, including us, was in tears. The film is both heartwarming and heartbreaking, as it shows how Mats' life, though marked by illness, was filled with meaningful connections. It challenges the idea that a fulfilling life must look a certain way and reminds us that friendship and love can flourish in the most unexpected places. This story has left a lasting impression on us and is hands down our favourite at MIFF this year.
Watching Ibelin was an emotional experience; almost everyone in the theater, including us, was in tears. The film is both heartwarming and heartbreaking, as it shows how Mats' life, though marked by illness, was filled with meaningful connections. It challenges the idea that a fulfilling life must look a certain way and reminds us that friendship and love can flourish in the most unexpected places. This story has left a lasting impression on us and is hands down our favourite at MIFF this year.
This made me ugly cry and yet feel so inspired .
As a carrier of Duchenne and a mother of two sons who have this horrible disease and also as a creative who got my start in role-playing communities.
It is an ABSOLUTE Must Watch!
The Story Behind Netflix's Moving Documentary 'The Remarkable Life of Ibelin. The film focuses on a Norwegian gamer who died at 25, leaving behind a richer online life than his family could have imagined.
THIS SHOW is a MUST watch, I am seriously asking everyone to take the time out of their day to view. It is about Mats "Ibelin" Steen who had Duchenne and was an avid WOW player.
For so many layers and reasons it is a documentary that hit every single one of my heartstrings.
The Remarkable Life of Ibelin is on Netflix now.
As a carrier of Duchenne and a mother of two sons who have this horrible disease and also as a creative who got my start in role-playing communities.
It is an ABSOLUTE Must Watch!
The Story Behind Netflix's Moving Documentary 'The Remarkable Life of Ibelin. The film focuses on a Norwegian gamer who died at 25, leaving behind a richer online life than his family could have imagined.
THIS SHOW is a MUST watch, I am seriously asking everyone to take the time out of their day to view. It is about Mats "Ibelin" Steen who had Duchenne and was an avid WOW player.
For so many layers and reasons it is a documentary that hit every single one of my heartstrings.
The Remarkable Life of Ibelin is on Netflix now.
This is probably the most unprofessional but honest review I have given on IMDB. This was a beautiful story amazingly animated and curated to understand his nature and impact in how the digital age can still grip and touch us all. As someone who has constant Existential fears and worries around death. The story of Ibelin reminded me of the purpose we all share in this life, is our relationship with each other, how love and respect helps eachother to grow, and that if we open our hearts and allow each other to embrace both our gifts and our flaws, we can share something special regardless of the canvas our senses create.
I went to the cinema yesterday without knowing too much about the story, except it being very emotionally moving, and left it a feeling of gratefuleness.
This movie displays the story of a young man who had to live his life with a severe muscular disease, that eventually took him. Due to his incapability of taking part in life in the real world, he chose to spent it mostly digitally in World of Warcraft. In this virtual world he was not limited by his disease and could do things, that he was not able to do otherwise.
This documentary displays is life in WoW and how he affected others. It is a very moving story and I could imagine it to be eye opening, especially for elder people, who might not have a perception of how much a virtual world can impact people.
I consider myself a gamer as well, not particularly a roleplayer, but a gamer and thereby I know, how beautiful games can be and how they can yield relationships. With that perspective in mind, I also was moved by the story. Rest in Peace Ibelin.
This movie displays the story of a young man who had to live his life with a severe muscular disease, that eventually took him. Due to his incapability of taking part in life in the real world, he chose to spent it mostly digitally in World of Warcraft. In this virtual world he was not limited by his disease and could do things, that he was not able to do otherwise.
This documentary displays is life in WoW and how he affected others. It is a very moving story and I could imagine it to be eye opening, especially for elder people, who might not have a perception of how much a virtual world can impact people.
I consider myself a gamer as well, not particularly a roleplayer, but a gamer and thereby I know, how beautiful games can be and how they can yield relationships. With that perspective in mind, I also was moved by the story. Rest in Peace Ibelin.
Did you know
- TriviaIn interviews, Benjamin Ree has stated that the film was completed without initial permission from Blizzard, the owners of World of Warcraft. This was a big risk, but necessary to ensure the film's independent status. When the film was completed, the production crew contacted Blizzard and travelled to California to show them the film. After the screening, several of the bosses of the company were crying and granted the necessary rights.
- ConnectionsFeatures Dragonheart: Fire & Steel (1996)
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Languages
- Also known as
- La singular vida de Ibelin
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Gross worldwide
- $1,303,564
- Runtime
- 1h 43m(103 min)
- Color
- Sound mix
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