Norwegian Documentary Feature Film Shortlisted For Oscar
The Remarkable Life of Ibelin: A Powerful Tribute to Connection through Gaming: Mats Steen, a Norwegian gamer, passed away at the age of 25 due to a degenerative muscular disease. Believing he had led a lonely and isolated life, his parents were surprised when messages of condolence began pouring in from online friends across the globe, revealing the deep connections he had formed in the digital world.
The Remarkable Life of Ibelin (2024), directed by Benjamin Ree and featuring animation by Rasmus Tukia, tells the heart-wrenching yet uplifting story of Norwegian gamer Mats Steen. Living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a degenerative disease that severely limited his mobility, Steen found solace and connection in the online multiplayer game World of Warcraft. Through this virtual world, he transcended his physical limitations and built a global community of friends and fellow gamers, using the alias "Ibelin."
When Steen passed away in 2014 at the age of 25, his parents, who had assumed he lived a lonely and isolated life, were astonished to receive heartfelt messages from people across the world. These online friends spoke of Steen’s profound impact on their lives and shared stories of the deep connections they had formed with him. His virtual community, built over tens of thousands of hours spent gaming, was a testament to the meaningful relationships he cultivated despite never meeting most of these friends in person.
The documentary beautifully portrays how World of Warcraft gave Steen a sense of purpose, freedom, and identity beyond his physical body. It also explores the unexpected power of online communities to foster real, lasting bonds.
Having garnered international acclaim, The Remarkable Life of Ibelin was shortlisted for an Oscar in 2025 for Best Documentary Feature. Available on Netflix, this film is not only a celebration of Mats Steen’s life but also a reminder of the meaningful connections that can arise from even the most unlikely of places. Through the lens of gaming, the documentary honors Mats' legacy and the support network he built within the digital world.