GO WATCH 'The Remarkable Life of Ibelin'

[Lythrilux]

https://www.netflix.com/title/81759420

When Norwegian gamer Mats Steen died at age 25, his parents mourned what they thought was an isolated life. It was only once they had access to his blog that they discovered the deep friendships he created virtually before passing away from a degenerative muscular disease. They were unaware that Mats had long been leading a vibrant digital life that had left a profound impact on a community of fellow gamers. The film takes us on a journey through the breadth of Mats Steen's adventurous online life, introducing us to Ibelin, his charismatic World of Warcraft persona. Through reconstructed animated moments from Mats' gameplay, narrated entries from his blog and interviews with people who knew him as Ibelin, a picture of a remarkable young man emerges, one that underscores how community and soulful relationships can transcend the boundaries of the physical world.

Saw this last night to unwind from the pub as I thought it would be something easy... I don't often get emotional but this actually made me tear up. It's a very bittersweet story, and I felt like there were a lot of parallels to this and Discovery.

Consider all the various connections and relationships people have made here through this virtual space. It feels even more heavy hitting when you consider all the great people we've had here who have touched our hearts in various ways who were taken from us long before their time.

I think people underestimate the power of online emotional connections, and it's great to see something that explores it. RIP Mats Steen and RIP to all our lost Discovery members.

---