The Payne family, settled in a rural area surrounded by forest, have created a perfect life. Maria and Nikas, teaching their children farming skills at home without screens, cultivate a deep connection with nature. This chaotic but precious life is unexpectedly changed when tragedy strikes, forcing the family to start all over again. Director Silje Evensmo Jacobsen, who filmed this close-knit family for several years, captures their struggle with grief and the creation of a new life with tenderness and intimacy.
"This film is for those who dream of exchanging the unstoppable pace of the city for a more harmonious life in nature. "Wild Hearts" subtly explores how loss deepens our understanding of nature, which can become both a refuge and a test. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, where it was awarded the Grand Jury Prize in the World Cinema category for best documentary." (Programme compiler Benita Paplauskaitė)
World Premiere: Sundance Film Festival, 2024
Awards: Grand Jury Prize, Sundance Film Festival, World Documentary Program, 2024, Best Documentary, Reykjavik Film Festival, 2024