Our Idyllic Norwegian Wilderness Dream Turned Tragic

A British-Norwegian pair who abandoned modern life to live in seclusion with their children in the wild encountered a tragic turn of events and were highlighted in an emotional new documentary.

Nik and Maria Payne resided with their four children in a secluded lifestyle within a self-reliant home deep in a Norwegian forest. They homeschooled their kids and sustained themselves by living off the land.

There was no television at their small farm property; instead, the children were encouraged to cut firewood using an ax, rear livestock, and sell these animals for spending money.

But Maria died of cancer In 2019, at the age of 41, Nik was left as a single parent to raise Ulv, who is three years old; Falk, aged six; Freja, nine years old; and Ronja, who is 15. These children include Maria’s daughter from an earlier relationship.

Currently, their remarkable lives are highlighted in an acclaimed new documentary titled 'A New Kind of Wilderness,' set to premiere in UK theaters starting May 16.

Nik, raised on a dairy farm in Chester, encountered Maria in Portugal when he was serving as a flight instructor. He mentioned The Sunday Times 'It has not been an easy ride.'

He stated: "The key aspect of our way of life was working fewer hours for income. Our priority was dedicating more time to what truly mattered: staying with the children, keeping them at home instead of sending them to school, so we could stay united as a family."

'I came from an agriculture-oriented background, which is why we carried out this activity on a farm; however, it might just as well have taken place at a suburban home where they were cultivating veggies in their backyard. Our aim was to reduce our expendable earnings to avoid splurging them on items meant for one-time use.'

The film, which runs for 84 minutes and is directed by Silje Evensmo Jacobsen, has already garnered accolades at various festivals. Sundance Film Festival , Seattle Film Festival and Budapest Film Festival.