Ibelin

• Benjamin Ree
• 106 min
• Norway
• 2024
• Documentary

The internet's most human core is exposed in this year's most touching documentary about the Norwegian gamer Mats "Ibelin" Steen.

Mats is born with a rare muscle disease that causes him to become weaker and weaker, ultimately living his life confined to a wheelchair. At the age of 25, he passes away, and his parents mourn what they thought was a lonely and isolated life. However, after a post on Mats' blog, messages start pouring in, revealing that Mats was a beloved member of a World of Warcraft community with a broad network of friends around the world. Through logged conversations and interviews with his friends, Mats' life as Ibelin is reconstructed, and what emerges is a young romantic and loyal friend who often acted as a pillar of support for his digital companions. Mats' story powerfully illustrates where the greatness of the internet lies and how an online life can be genuinely real.

- Annie Karlsson

• Dokumentär
• Familj
• Vänskap
• Kärlek
• Fantasy