07 May A New Kind of Wilderness
‘A New Kind of Wilderness’ is a tender and moving documentary. It follows a family dealing with change in the wake of loss. Nik and Maria are re-wilding their family, and have chosen a self-sufficient life-style in Norway and home-schooling for the three youngest children. But when Maria dies, Nik is left dealing with the fallout of grief. We witness each member of the family struggle with Maria’s absence.
Director Silje Evensmo Jacobsen took inspiration from the images of Maria Vatne, whose death happens before ‘A New Kind of Wilderness’ begins; and yet Maria’s words create the context for the drama that unfolds.
There are interconnected consequences of Maria’s death – many ‘secondary losses’ that impact the family. We see Nik struggling with complex decisions, and the loss of a shared future dream. They hoped to raise the children wild and free, to understand the life cycle of plants and animals, and our relationship with them.
The narrative is seeped in the beauty of a life lived in close connection with nature. It also portrays the paradoxes of modernity. We watch Nik grapple with how to earn a living, educate children and grow food solo.
Squeezed by financial necessities and an external pressure from others to ‘move on’ from grief, the siblings and father each have their own issues. The camera catches the many faces of their emotions, through body language and touching exchanges. It made me cry at unexpected moments.
We are offered glimpses into the private world of the family at a vulnerable time where cameras would not usually be invited. Time passes, and through small rituals, we watch them grow through grief. Moments tinged with happy/sad draw the viewer into the intimacy of their family life. Their story touched me, as we watch them begin to ‘build a future’.
‘A New Kind of Wilderness’ is a beautiful story about the upheaval that death may bring, and of resources and challenges arising in response. It reminds me that we can adapt and that through navigating change, we grow more resilient.
For an article about the themes of love, loss and belonging in the film, see here.
If the themes in this film affect you, you can find Grief Tending workshops in London and online here.
Sarah Pletts is a Grief Tender and Artist who offers workshops in London and online, sharing rituals where grief on all themes is welcome. For more information about Grief Tending events see here.
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