In A New Kind of Wilderness, director Silje Jacobsen takes us on a heartfelt journey into the life of Nik Payne, a British widower living off-the-grid with his children in the Norwegian wilderness. Initially, the film was meant to capture the freedom and beauty of their alternative lifestyle. However, after the sudden loss of Nik’s wife, Maria Vatne, it becomes a much deeper story—one about grief, resilience, and the delicate balance between ideals and reality.The documentary follows Nik as he faces the difficult task of raising his children alone, while trying to maintain the life they had built together in nature. Without Maria, Nik begins to question whether their self-sufficient, off-the-grid way of living is truly sustainable, especially for his children. The older daughter, Ronja, decides to take a different path, moving back into society, while the younger children still embrace the wildness and freedom of their upbringing. It’s a tender portrayal of a family at a crossroads, grappling with the pressures of both their unconventional lifestyle and the emotional weight of their loss.Reflecting on the complexity of these choices, Jacobsen notes, “Life and the choices we make have many layers, it’s not black and white, good, or bad, or right and wrong. In the end: How can one tell what lifestyle is the right one to lead? The film doesn’t offer a distinct answer, but I hope it will create consciousness and spark deep conversations about the meaning of life.”Silje Evensmo Jacobsen’s  sensitive direction allows us to feel the family’s pain and resilience without judgment. The cinematography showcases the rugged beauty of the Norwegian landscape, creating a contrast between the family’s connection to nature and the personal challenges they face. At its core, this film isn’t just about living off-the-grid—it’s about the strength required to adapt, to heal, and to move forward when life takes unexpected turns.A New Kind of Wilderness is an emotionally rich documentary that invites viewers to reflect on the true meaning of home, family, and the balance between our dreams and the realities we face.- Raman Chawla