Sundance 2024

Ibelin is a profoundly moving and beautifully crafted documentary that tells the story of Mats Steen, a young man with a degenerative disease who found friendship, love, and community in the most unexpected of places: a virtual world. The film captures the heart-wrenching reality of Mats' physical limitations while celebrating the boundless freedom he experienced through his online identity. For anyone who's ever wondered about the connections forged in digital spaces, Ibelin is a must-watch.

What makes Ibelin unique is the effort to reconstruct Mats' online life. Using tens of thousands of hours of gameplay logs, the documentary recreates moments from Mats' digital adventures. In this world, his disease wasn't a barrier. As an avatar named "Ibelin," Mats became a heroic figure, creating lasting friendships and integral contributor to a thriving virtual community.

One of the most touching aspects of the film is the emotional journey of Mats' parents as they come to terms with their son's hidden life. For years, they feared that Mats' physical condition would leave him isolated, devoid of meaningful relationships. Discovering the depth of connection Mats had online, how his life touched so many people, comes as a bittersweet revelation for them. It's both uplifting and tragic—uplifting because they realize Mats lived a rich, fulfilling life in his own way, and tragic because he kept so much of it secret, even from the people who loved him most.

The documentary not only succeeds in its emotional core but also in its innovative approach. The decision to blend Mats' digital experiences with real-world interviews and footage from his parents' journey adds layers of depth to the story. It captures the collision of the virtual and physical worlds, exploring the idea that, in some ways, Mats was more alive in his digital realm than he ever could be in the physical one.

Ibelin strikes a balance between sadness and hope. Witnessing the toll that Mats' disease took on his body is devastating, but there's also an undeniable sense of joy in seeing how much of himself he was able to share with others. This film is a powerful reminder that human connection transcends physical limitations and that meaningful relationships can thrive in unexpected places.

— 4 / 5 ⭐