The Remarkable Life of Ibelin
The Remarkable Life of Ibelin is streaming on Netflix at the time of writing. Rated PG-13. Common Sense says 13+
This inspirational documentary chronicles the life of Mats Steen, a young man who died in 2014 from Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Believing their son lived a lonely, unfulfilled life, his parents are astounded when dozens of people Mats met playing World of Warcraft contact them, sharing the incredible impact Mats (through his avatar, “Ibelin”) made on their lives.
STORY: A
A disability narrative that focuses more on the person than the disability.
Unlike many stories about people with disabilities, the film doesn’t focus on Mats’s personal achievements. Mats doesn’t win gold at the Special Olympics. He doesn’t miraculously beat the odds and walk again.
His beautiful, generous humanity doesn’t emerge from the things he did for himself, but through the things he did for others. We can all learn a lesson about how to live our own lives from that fact.
PEOPLE: A+
Life will find a way.
The way Mats lives his life will force you to reexamine your idea of what’s possible. Once the end credits begin to roll, take a moment and reconsider that thing you’ve been avoiding because you think it’s impossible. You’ll very likely change your mind.
FILM NERD STUFF: A
Skillful animation recreates the important moments of Mats’s life.
An old log of character actions and dialogue allows the filmmakers to recreate pivotal moments Mats spent within the computer game. The clips contain everything: humor, heartbreak, and perplexity. They’re a deeply honest, poignant depiction of the world as we know it.
ONE BIG LESSON: A+
Use the things you’ve got around you and live your life to the fullest.
Most people spend too much time fretting over the obstacles in their path, and not enough time considering how to get around them.
Living the best life you possibly can is rarely easy. But the opportunities and tools to help you do so are there. You just need to keep an eye out for them.
FINAL COMMENTS:
Mats Steen’s story is meant to lift us up, inspire us, and reconsider how we spend our precious lives. Director Benjamin Ree’s storytelling does all of this and more.
If you’ve ever been unable to see the light at the end of the tunnel, if you’ve ever found life unfair, if you’ve ever watched those you love struggle along the road of life (in other words, if you’re a human being), Ibelin’s story will resonate with you.
Mats touched so many lives during his too-short life. It’s a fitting, brilliant gift that he will continue to do so through this extraordinary film.