The Journey of “The Remarkable Life of Ibelin”

After a year and approximately 30 test screenings into his ambitious experimental documentary, filmmaker Benjamin Ree faced a significant challenge with his project. Test audiences expressed confusion and emotional detachment when “The Remarkable Life of Ibelin” transitioned into the virtual realm of the popular video game World of Warcraft. This documentary chronicles the poignant story of Mats Steen, a young Norwegian man grappling with a degenerative muscle disease, who found solace and connection through gaming.

Initially, the film unfolds in a conventional documentary format, featuring heartfelt interviews with Steen’s family and narrations drawn from his personal blog. As the narrative progresses, it shifts dramatically to an animated depiction of the game, illustrating interactions between Steen’s avatar, Ibelin, and his fellow guild members within the game.

Ree reflected on the feedback from the test audiences, stating, “When the animated segments began, they expressed a longing to remain connected with Mats. Suddenly, we introduced a quirky, bearded animated avatar, and it felt like we were losing them.” This pivotal moment prompted Ree to reassess the film’s direction.

Following an additional year in the editing suite, the pieces of the puzzle finally came together. The film’s transformation was marked by the strategic incorporation of voice-overs and a succinct on-screen explanation that effectively guided viewers into Ibelin’s universe, thereby deepening their understanding of Steen’s inner world. However, the true breakthrough emerged from a narrative choice: centering the initial animated scene around Steen’s first encounter with his online crush within the game. This decision not only enhanced viewer engagement but also bridged the emotional gap that had previously hindered the documentary’s impact.