In a radical departure from modern life, a group of Norwegian teenagers are learning to combat the pressures of toxic social media by embracing the harsh, subzero wilderness of the Arctic. This is the compelling subject of the new documentary Folktales, from acclaimed filmmakers Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady.
Embracing the 'Stone Age Brain' in Arctic Winter
The film is set at the remote Pasvik Folk High School in northern Norway. Here, the educational philosophy is built on reconnecting young adults with what teachers call their "stone age brain". Over the dark winter months, students are challenged to live like hunter-gatherers, undertaking tasks designed to pull them away from digital dependency and foster resilience.
The immersive programme includes camping in extreme subzero temperatures, building fires from scratch, and driving husky sledges across the frozen landscape. A key, though unseen, part of the process involves relinquishing phones, tablets, and laptops, marking a clean break from the online world. The teens also take part in an icy swim, an activity they manage to approach with a sense of fun.
Personal Struggles and Canine Therapy
Folktales delves into the personal stories that the students bring with them. The documentary highlights Hege, who is grappling with profound depression following the murder of her father, a biker. Other participants face more common, yet deeply felt, adolescent anxieties about belonging and happiness.
One of the most therapeutic elements of the experience appears to be the students' interaction with the school's huskies. A poignant moment captures a teacher's reassurance to a student: "You are more than good enough for that dog just the way you are." This bond offers a simple, unconditional acceptance that contrasts sharply with the performative pressures of social media.
Facing the Raw Challenge of the Wild
Not every moment is portrayed as exhilarating. The documentary doesn't shy away from the gruelling reality of winter camping, including a tense scene where a complaining student is told he cannot use his teachers' fire and must build his own to survive the cold. While hunting is part of the curriculum, the film consciously chooses not to show the moment of the kill, focusing instead on the broader journey of self-sufficiency and growth.
Folktales will be released in cinemas across the United Kingdom and Ireland from 5 December. It presents a stark and fascinating look at an alternative educational model that uses nature's extremes as a remedy for the anxieties of the digital age.
