Mats Steen was only 25 years old when he died in 2014. However, 10 years later, his story has come to life in the documentary The Remarkable Life of Ibelin. This is a moving documentary directed by Norwegian filmmaker Benjamin Ree. Mats, who battled Duchenne muscular dystrophy, spent most of his life in a wheelchair at his family’s home in Oslo. For many years, his existence appeared to be limited to four walls. However, his parents, Robert and Trude, found that his world was much more than they realized. In World of Warcraft (WoW), Mats is more than just their son, he is Ibelin Redmoore. This is a noble hero with golden hair going through worlds they could never explore.
The Steens understood that Mats had a passion for gaming, but they did not know the depth of importance this digital universe was for him until after his passing. After Mats’ death, people from across Europe and beyond were reaching out to Robert and Trude, sharing their sympathies and sharing memories of Mats. They told stories he had created online as Ibelin. The documentary captures their journey from initially feeling as though they had lost him totally to finding comfort in his lasting online legacy.
The Unexpected Love of a Gaming World
When he was gaming, Mats was Lord Ibelin Redmoore, a detective with the appeal and strength of a Norse hero. Through this character, he made lifelong friendships within WoW’s tight-knit guilds, particularly one called Starlight. Ibelin had recognition, respect, and love from guild members who saw him as a charismatic leader and friend. When Robert and Trude shared a message on Mats’ blog announcing his death, they were overwhelmed by the grief from these virtual friends. Additionally, hundreds reached out, providing heartfelt messages about how Mats, as Ibelin, had impacted their lives.
In the documentary, you see Mats’ story come to life through home videos. Furthermore, you see it in the vibrant, animated world of World of Warcraft, recreated from game logs and online conversations. These animations vividly illustrate the virtual settings where Ibelin battled monsters, solved mysteries, and even had his first kiss. They take every line in these animated sequences from Mats’ own posts or messages with his online friends. The scenes offer an extraordinary look into the bonds he made in the digital space. They show the relationships that allowed Mats to experience freedom, adventure, and joy despite his physical limitations.
His Family’s Journey of Discovery and Healing
At the core of the documentary is the Steens’ experience. In emotional interviews, Robert and Trude reflect on their connection with Mats and how their understanding of his life has changed. In their home videos, you see a young Mats taking his first steps, completely oblivious to what was to come. By the age of three, it was clear that Mats faced some physical challenges. Initially, doctors dismissed Trude and Robert’s worries. However, by the age of four, they received the diagnosis of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. This is a degenerative disease without a cure.
The documentary also explores Trude’s complex feelings of guilt and heartache. As the gene carrier responsible for Mats’ condition, she battled feelings of guilt regarding her son’s pain. “Mats always told me, ‘Don’t say that, Mum. It’s not your fault,’” recalls Trude through tears. She dedicated her life to caring for him, creating a profoundly close bond.
Benjamin Ree first learned about Mats in a BBC article, which inspired his idea for this documentary. With the Steens’ consent, he spent four years gathering home videos, blog posts, and conversations from Mats’ time in WoW. He skillfully mixes these real-life moments with immersive, animated sequences from WoW, to which Mats had dedicated roughly 20,000 hours. Together, all these make a touching documentary of a young man’s life and the legacy he has left in the hearts of people he had never met face-to-face.
Why The Remarkable Life of Ibelin Matters Now
However, during a time when many parents are concerned about screen time and wonder what their children are doing online, The Remarkable Life of Ibelin gives a lesson that digital lives are genuine. Furthermore, they can even be meaningful. Mats’ story stands as a testament to how gaming, and the friendships it makes, can provide not just a hobby, but a crucial lifeline.
It is a powerful reminder of the unexpected ways that digital communities can be just as genuine and meaningful as any in-person connection. Mats may have been limited physically, yet as Ibelin, he experienced freedom. His story is a reminder of the power of imagination, the importance of empathy, and the limitless communities that are beyond the screen.
