All posts tagged: A New Kind of Wilderness

A Small but Effective Norwegian Doc

A Small but Effective Norwegian Doc

Silje Evensmo Jacobsen’s A New Kind of Wilderness is one of the “littlest” documentaries I’ve ever seen. It’s a film without a clear hook. Any enticing description would be misleading. A New Kind of Wilderness The Bottom Line Intimate and effective. Venue: Sundance Film Festival (World Documentary Competition)Director: Silje Evensmo Jacobsen 1 hour 24 minutes At the same time, it’s a reminder that you don’t need sensationalism to deliver something that’s honest and emotionally resonant. I spent 40 minutes watching A New Kind of Wilderness and wondering what the documentary was supposed to be, and the last 44 minutes being simply and persuasively moved by this story of a family facing tragedy and trying to hang together while seeking a new normal. Maria and Nik chose a very unusual life for themselves and their four children — Ronja, from her previous relationship, Freja, Falk and Ulv. They live sustainably on a small farm in rural Norway. They’re a long way from civilization, the kids are entirely home-schooled — speaking both Norwegian and English (Nik is …