Where to Stream A New Kind of Wilderness (2024) - Heartfelt Family Journey

A New Kind of Wilderness is a moving 2024 documentary directed by Norwegian filmmaker Silje Evensmo Jacobsen. The film follows the Payne family, who live in a secluded farm deep in the Norwegian wilderness, living an idealized life centered on self-sufficiency, homeschooling, and harmony with nature. The parents, Maria and Nik, and their four children embrace a lifestyle that distances them from modern society. Maria, a photographer, captures their unique lifestyle and shares it on her blog, “Wild + Free.”

However, tragedy strikes when Maria passes away unexpectedly, leaving Nik to care for their children alone. The family is forced to leave their isolated farm and return to modern civilization. The children insist that their mother is still with them, and Maria’s photos and stories remain a poignant thread throughout the film, serving as both memory and narration. Nik faces the challenge of balancing his family's grief and sustaining their connection to nature, all while integrating into a world they’ve long left behind.

A New Kind of Wilderness masterfully explores the fragility of life, the impact of grief, and the search for balance between natural living and modern realities. With its touching narrative, the film also subtly raises questions about the sustainability of off-grid lifestyles and the effects of loss on both family and environment.

The documentary has been well-received since its world premiere at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, where it won the prestigious World Cinema Documentary Grand Jury Prize. Jacobsen’s compassionate yet observational filmmaking captures the emotional nuances of the family’s transition from isolation to integration, shedding light on what it means to truly live and love in a world constantly in flux.

A Family’s Struggle After Loss

The film opens by showcasing the Payne family’s idyllic life in the Norwegian forest, where Maria and Nik teach their children how to live in harmony with nature. Their philosophy is built on self-sufficiency and homeschooling, far from the constraints of modern society. Maria’s voice narrates these moments, offering insights into their choice to escape the "rat race" and live with purpose.

However, the tone of the documentary shifts dramatically as Maria’s illness unfolds, and the family is left to cope with the aftermath of her death. Nik, now a widower, grapples with the decision to sell the farm and integrate his children into the society they’ve long been separated from. Their struggles with grief are raw and heartfelt, especially in their attempts to keep Maria’s memory alive.

Nik’s growing doubts about their once-perfect life—especially the decision to homeschool the children—are explored as he tries to create a new normal. His eldest stepdaughter, Ronja, chooses to leave the family’s wilderness lifestyle and move in with her biological father. This decision creates tension within the family, particularly for Ronja’s younger sister Freja, who feels abandoned. Yet, as time passes, healing occurs, and the family finds a way to adapt to their new reality, while still holding onto the values that defined their time in nature.

Poignant Messages and Themes

More than a film about one family, A New Kind of Wilderness reflects on universal themes like loss, grief, and the passage of time. The Paynes’ journey mirrors the struggles that many families face when confronted with profound loss. It also serves as a subtle meditation on the sustainability of self-sufficient lifestyles, particularly in a world increasingly defined by climate crisis and overconsumption.

Throughout the documentary, Maria’s voice and photography remain ever-present, reinforcing the idea that nature and memory can offer solace even in the face of tragedy. The film also touches on the tension between maintaining an idealized, off-the-grid life and the unavoidable realities of modern society.

Jacobsen’s direction is compassionate and intimate, capturing both the rawness of grief and the beauty of nature. The lush Norwegian landscape is almost a character in its own right, serving as both backdrop and metaphor for the family’s journey through loss and healing.

Critical Reception and Accolades

Since its premiere at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, A New Kind of Wilderness has garnered critical acclaim. Reviewers have praised the documentary for its emotional depth, visual beauty, and nuanced exploration of the human condition. The film's success at Sundance, where it won the World Cinema Documentary Grand Jury Prize, highlights its resonance with audiences and critics alike.

Jacobsen’s film has continued to tour the international festival circuit, with screenings at prestigious festivals like Hot Docs, CPH

, and Edinburgh. The documentary’s ability to capture the fragility of life, as well as the beauty and harshness of nature, has made it a standout in 2024’s documentary film scene.

A Story of Healing and Hope

A New Kind of Wilderness is more than just a film about one family’s return to civilization. It’s a powerful meditation on love, loss, and the ways in which we carry on in the wake of tragedy. Through the lens of the Payne family’s story, viewers are reminded of the resilience of the human spirit and the delicate balance between living in harmony with nature and the demands of modern life.

For anyone seeking a touching, visually stunning documentary that explores the complexities of family, grief, and sustainability, A New Kind of Wilderness offers a deeply moving and thoughtful experience.

The film is set to continue its festival run before a wider release in 2025, where it will undoubtedly find even more audiences touched by its message of love, memory, and resilience.

1. What inspired the film A New Kind of Wilderness?
Director Silje Evensmo Jacobsen was captivated by Maria Payne’s blog, “Wild + Free,” which documented the Payne family’s off-the-grid lifestyle in the Norwegian wilderness. The family’s journey away from societal norms inspired Jacobsen to capture their unique life on film.

2. How long did filming take, and what challenges did the crew face?
The film was shot over several years, beginning in 2014. The biggest challenge was adapting the documentary after Maria Payne’s untimely death, which shifted the focus of the film from a celebration of sustainable living to a moving story of grief and resilience.

3. What makes A New Kind of Wilderness different from other documentaries about off-the-grid living?
The documentary’s intimate portrayal of a family navigating grief after the loss of a mother sets it apart. It doesn’t just focus on sustainable living but also delves deep into the emotional struggles of returning to civilization after living in isolation.

4. Did the Payne family have any involvement in the making of the film?
Yes, the family was actively involved. Maria herself was part of the early interviews and much of the footage, and her husband Nik continued to participate in the film even after her passing, allowing the crew to document their raw emotions and transition back into society.

5. How did the children adapt to life after the film’s events?
The younger children struggled with adjusting to school life after being homeschooled in the wilderness. However, the film shows their resilience and gradual acceptance of the changes, especially as they begin forming new connections outside their previous lifestyle.

6. How did the film address the issue of sustainable living after Maria's death?
The film juxtaposes the family’s idealized off-grid living with the practical difficulties of sustaining that lifestyle without Maria. It also touches on the challenges of balancing sustainability with the realities of grief, financial pressures, and societal demands.

7. How does the film explore the theme of grief?
Through Nik’s internal struggles and the children’s loss of their mother, the film deeply explores how grief affects not only emotional well-being but also life choices and relationships. Maria’s presence remains a guiding force, conveyed through her photos and voiceovers.

8. Is there a specific message or call to action in the film?
While the film doesn’t preach, it subtly raises awareness about sustainability, grief, and the importance of being present with loved ones. It encourages viewers to reflect on their life choices, particularly in balancing modern conveniences with a desire for simpler, more meaningful living.

9. What impact has the film had since its release?
The film won the World Cinema Documentary Grand Jury Prize at Sundance 2024 and has resonated with audiences worldwide, particularly those who have experienced loss or are interested in the complexities of off-the-grid living.

10. Will the Payne family’s story continue beyond the documentary?
As of now, there are no plans for a follow-up film. However, the Payne family’s story has sparked conversations about sustainable living and resilience in the face of loss, making their journey a lasting inspiration to many.