Ibelin

Where is the truth of our existence, and where exactly does one exist as their true self? The film by Benjamin Ree (The Painter and the Thief) inspires us to question exactly that through the story of a Norwegian gamer who passed away at the age of 25, after having suffered from a degenerative disease from a very young age. His family believed him to be a solitary being, leading an existence “imprisoned” in front of his PC, until they found out posthumously that his presence in the digital sphere was fascinating. Somewhere out there, in the online game War of Warcraft, Ibelin – as was his avatar name – was not only extremely popular but he had also touched the lives of many users – people that today generously return his love to his parents offline. Startlingly and naturally emotional, ingenious in its format, as well as exquisite in each of its aspects, Ibelin is a heartbreaking film, touching even hearts of stone and serving as a reminder that love, a community’s ties, and the emotional range do not necessarily require a physical world in order to blossom

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Direction: Benjamin Ree

Cinematography: Rasmus Tukia, Tore Vollan

Editing: Robert Stengård

Sound: Joakim Bjerknæs, Gisle Tveito

Music: Uno Helmersson

Production: Medieoperatørene

Producers: Ingvil Giske

Co-producers: Hans Andreas Fay

Format: DCP

Color: Color

Production Country: Norway

Production Year: 2024

Duration: 104'

Contact: Netflix

Awards/Distinctions: Directing Award, Audience Award (World Cinema Documentary) – Sundance FF 2024, Dragon Award for Best Nordic Documentary – Göteborg FF 2024, Audience Award – Tromsø IFF 2024

Head Animators: Rasmus Tukia, Ada Wikdahl

Benjamin Ree

Filmography

2012 Dreaming of the Golden Eagle (short)
2014 When Ailin Kissed Lars (short)
2016 Magnus
2020 The Painter and the Thief
2024 Ibelin