The Folktales review reveals why this 2025 documentary masterpiece captures the essence of human transformation. Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady’s intimate direction delivers profound insights into teenage resilience and self-discovery.
What happens when you combine stunning Arctic landscapes with the most vulnerable moments of adolescence? You get documentary perfection. Folktales (2025), directed by Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady, stands as one of the most moving coming-of-age documentaries ever made. This heartwarming film follows teenagers who choose to spend an unconventional gap year learning to dog sled and survive the Arctic wilderness at Pasvik Folk High School in northern Norway. While the documentary operates on familiar territory of teenage transformation, it succeeds because it never manipulates its subjects—every moment of growth and struggle is captured with complete authenticity.
Synopsis
Three teenagers—Hege, Romain, and Bjørn Tore—leave the comforts of home to enroll in a traditional folk high school in the wilds of northernmost Norway. Exhausted by loneliness, social anxiety, and all the crushing barrage of pressures felt by their generation, these brave students must rely only on themselves and a pack of loyal sled dogs as they take the daunting step from childhood to adulthood.
Guided by patient teachers and a yard full of heroic Alaskan huskies, they discover their own potential and develop deep relationships while navigating the harsh realities of Arctic survival. The film follows their year-long journey of self-discovery while exploring the deeper meaning of connection in an increasingly isolated world.
Plot & Themes
Folktales operates on a deceptively simple premise: sometimes the most profound growth happens when we remove ourselves from everything familiar. The Arctic wilderness serves as both backdrop and catalyst for exploring timely questions about finding connection and meaning in the modern world.
The film’s genius lies in its patient observation. When students struggle with homesickness or fail at basic survival tasks, the camera never exploits their vulnerability. These moments work because Ewing and Grady film them with complete respect, allowing the subjects to maintain their dignity even in moments of difficulty.
Thematically, the documentary celebrates the transformative power of disconnection from technology, social media, and the noise of modern life. The students succeed not despite their initial struggles, but because they learn to face themselves authentically for the first time.
Cinematography & Visuals
The cinematography captures the breathtaking beauty of Arctic Norway with visual poetry that serves the documentary’s emotional core perfectly. The visual style emphasizes the stark contrast between the students’ former digital lives and their new analog existence, making their transformation even more powerful through contrast.
The film excels in intimate character moments. The sequences showing students bonding with their sled dogs demonstrate perfect documentary framing. The camera holds on meaningful interactions just long enough to let the emotional weight sink in without becoming intrusive.
Environmental shots reward multiple viewings. During the northern lights sequences, attentive viewers will witness the profound impact of natural beauty on young people who have rarely experienced life without screens.
Characters & Development
The three central subjects—Hege, Romain, and Bjørn Tore—each bring distinct personalities and challenges to their Arctic journey. Their individual growth arcs transform potentially familiar coming-of-age narratives into deeply personal stories of resilience and self-discovery.
The Norwegian teachers provide steady guidance without overwhelming the students’ agency. Their approach to education—emphasizing practical skills and emotional intelligence—creates a learning environment that feels both challenging and supportive.
The sled dogs emerge as unexpected co-stars, their loyalty and intelligence serving as powerful metaphors for the authentic connections the students are learning to build with themselves and each other.
Direction & Storytelling
Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady’s direction maintains perfect narrative pacing throughout the documentary. Coming from acclaimed works like Jesus Camp and Detropia, the directing duo understood that character-driven documentaries require delicate balance between observation and intervention.
The storytelling approach layers emotional beats at multiple levels:
- Individual character arcs that build naturally over the school year
- Group dynamics that reward careful attention to interpersonal subtleties
- Environmental storytelling that demonstrates humanity’s relationship with nature
- Cultural elements that explore Norwegian educational philosophy authentically
The film’s structure follows traditional documentary conventions while subverting them through genuine character development. This creates familiarity that makes the unexpected moments of transformation hit even harder.
Sound & Music
The documentary’s audio design perfectly captures the essence of Arctic isolation. Natural soundscapes—howling winds, dog barks, crackling fires—create an immersive environment that places viewers directly into the students’ experience.
The use of silence deserves special recognition. Key emotional moments are allowed to breathe without musical manipulation, trusting audiences to connect with the subjects’ internal journeys through authentic observation.
When music does appear, it serves the emotional landscape beautifully. The score enhances rather than overwhelms the natural drama of teenage growth and wilderness survival.
Conclusion & Verdict
Folktales succeeds because it respects both its subjects and its audience. Every element—from cinematography to sound design to narrative structure—works in service of authentic human storytelling without sacrificing technical excellence.
Strengths:
- Genuine character development that feels earned rather than manufactured
- Stunning Arctic cinematography that serves the emotional narrative
- Excellent pacing that allows for natural story progression
- Respectful approach to teenage vulnerability and growth
Minor Weaknesses:
- Some viewers may find the pacing too contemplative for traditional documentary expectations
- Limited exploration of the students’ pre-Norway lives may leave some context gaps
This documentary remains essential viewing for anyone interested in authentic coming-of-age stories and expertly crafted character-driven filmmaking. Folktales works for audiences who enjoyed Free Solo, Won’t You Be My Neighbor, or Summer of Soul.
Rating: 8.5/10
Directors: Heidi Ewing, Rachel Grady
MPAA Rating: Not yet rated (likely PG)
Starring: Hege, Romain, Bjørn Tore
For more documentary reviews, check out our analysis of other character-driven non-fiction films. You can also explore the film’s festival success at the Internet Movie Database.
