From Jeff Nelson

There’s no shortage of films that explore lifestyles that exist on the fringe of society, ones that choose to opt out of both the comforts and struggles of the modern world. Director Silje Evensmo Jacobsen centers A New Kind of Wilderness on an instance of such isolation, but emphasizes her documentary on the unpredictable nature of life in the wake of great loss and grief.

The Payne family lives in the Norwegian wilderness, enjoying nature and the true meaning of family. Upon the mother’s death, the family is forced to change their way of life and adjust to a modern society. Their love and care for one another continues to blossom, but their ability to cope with tragedy and change prove to be a difficult hurdle.

A New Kind of Wilderness avoids talking heads, situating itself into the core of the Payne family. Jacobsen puts emphasis on the parent-made decision to maintain a sense of wonder in the children that can only exist free from social norms and constraints, but it isn’t the focus. Rather, this documentary establishes how a family reconciles with the change of the status quo in the face of devastating loss. 

A father becomes a single parent, forced to confront a deviation from the life that he built with his wife for their children. Meanwhile, the children grapple with sweeping changes, causing communication difficulties amongst them. He has a firmer grasp on the world outside of their haven, while the younger ones must come to terms with what the social contract expects of them. A New Kind of Wilderness presents an intriguing and multi-layered world of individualistic grief within a family painted with genuine connections.

Some dynamics beg for further exploration, particularly in a perspective shift within the family, which brings the story to a close. Even so, there’s no question that Jacobsen marvelously captures the beauty in both the physical spaces and the emotional ties that connect this family to one another, the animals, and the land that surrounds them. Home videos and blog content fill out some of the memories of their bond and happiness to the mother, generating a memory capsule of sorts.

A New Kind of Wilderness is an earnest portrait of family, grief, and loss with an intimately poignant exploration of belonging and change. Jacobsen never allows only one thing to define the Paynes’ journey or non-traditional lifestyle, as she equally taps into their hardship and their joy, love, and warmth, resulting in a heartfelt documentary that will make you want to hold your loved ones just a little bit tighter.

Rating: 3.5/5

A New Kind of Wilderness played at Sundance 2024 on January 19th, 2024. 

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