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Rating: This documentary tells the life of Mats Steen, an unfortunate Norwegian boy who died at 25 from Duchenne muscular dystrophy in 2014. To his family's eyes and despite himself, Mats' existence was marked by isolation and social solitude. The disease, which relentlessly eroded his muscular tissues almost completely depriving him of physical strength, had forced him to be paralyzed in a wheelchair and eventually bedridden, making him dependent on artificial feeding. Mats had no friends, at least in reality. He was always glued to the computer, accessible thanks to some technological and cutting-edge devices that allowed him to interact online with more ease.
Upon his death, thanks to the password the son had left as a legacy, the parents decided to write a message on his already known blog, announcing his passing and providing an email for those who wished to offer condolences. A message into the void, they thought, and instead...
Instead, dozens and dozens of people, moved, responded to the announcement from all over the world, and thus the couple discovered the fantasy world of World of Warcraft and the important role their son played in that imaginary place. Thanks to this contact with Mats' gaming companions, which over time became intense and present, the parents discovered that their son, despite the tragedy of his earthly life, lived a life of freedom and emancipation from the prison of his disabled body, albeit virtually.
The documentary tells, with a skillful play of dual narration, the impact Mats had both on his family, as a son in constant need of medical care and attention, and at the same time on the many gaming companions with whom he shared almost nine years of online life. In WoW he was Ibelin, a stout and energetic avatar who carved out the role of detective, inclined to strike up a conversation with anyone he met on those virtual paths.
From the story told in Ree's film, Mats/Ibelin's kindness, support to others, and inner struggles emerge, revealed through touching testimonies from both the family and the gaming companions.
The director goes even further, alternating images of lived life, family photos and home movies, with a gameplay recreated with great precision - initially disorienting for someone like me who has never played role-playing games - that serves as a backdrop to the interactions between strangers turned companions. Not just gaming companions, but true friends. In WoW Mats/Ibelin makes acquaintances, engages in long conversations, becomes a confidant and a sought-after, admired presence who helps and encourages others, and even falls in love... He has such a profound impact that it influences the real lives of his gamer friends. People who would never have imagined who was behind Ibelin, also because Mats was always extremely reserved about his private life. And who could blame him.
Each time Mats/Ibelin entered WoW, he took a long run through the roads and forests of Azeroth. He ran with a heavy yet athletic stride, he ran with all of himself, far from himself. But above all, in Warcraft, he revealed his beautiful soul, that soul hopelessly imprisoned in a treacherous and painful body. An essence already recognized by the family but understandably overshadowed by the complicated daily management of his serious illness.
The transposition of Mats' story in this engaging documentary, so much so that by the end you will find yourself full of emotions, delicately touches what deep down we all desire: to matter to others and leave an imperishable good memory of ourselves.
I will not go on any further, I think I have already spoiled too much. I highly recommend watching this documentary, which you can find on that very famous streaming platform, perhaps to watch with your children.
But prepare the tissues, the ending will tear you apart.
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