Nik the Brit married Maria the Norwegian and with Maria’s daughter Ronja move to a small, dilapidated farm deep in the Norwegian countryside. They subsequently have three children Ulv, Falk and Freja.
Self admitted tree huggers, quite evident in the opening frames of the documentary, the children are home schooled without screens, learn how to farm including raising farm animals and interact with nature. The rat race has been left behind in the search for independence and a life full of love. Post modern hippiedom?
Tragedy strikes felling Maria at 41 years of age. Nik is left continuing on in Norway as per Maria’s wishes although moving back to his native England and his family would make his life so much easier as Maria’s photographer income is no longer and Nik is not working. Unable to pay the mortgage the farm is sold and the family moves to a small Norwegian farming community to a new life which is metaphorically a new kind of wilderness.
Homeschooling is replaced by kindergarten and schools which the children adapt to quickly and happily. iPads and an online existence are introduced and mastered by the children willingly perhaps even more so than for Nik their father.
Ronja, Maria’s daughter from a previous relationship felt alienated after her mother’s death and left the farm to live with her father. The farm was not the same after the death of her mother Maria and in therapy she struggles to cope with her loss. Her loneliness is her wilderness. But over time and with a couple of visits with her siblings and Nik she adapts as well.
Adaptability means survival initially then flourishing in new lives thrust upon all by Maria’s death. Once refugees from society they rejoin it and initially become refugees in society and after Maria’s death at points become refugees amongst each other.
Watch the trailer here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WUX8Vxai3M
A “New Kind of Wilderness”, directed and written by Silje Evensmo Jacobsen, makes its broadcast premiere on PBS stations in the United States as part of PBS’ doc series POV on 25August2025/streaming premiere via PBS Passport App, also starting 25August2025 through 240ctober2025.
RKS 2025 Documentary Rating 69/100.
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