Nik and Maria Payne’s life in the Norwegian countryside was idyllic—raising their children in a small, rustic home far from the distractions of city life. But their peaceful world was upended when Maria was diagnosed with cancer in 2019. She passed away at 41, leaving behind a grieving husband, three children, and a farm that had been their shared dream. Now, Nik and his children find themselves at the heart of A New Kind of Wilderness, an award-winning documentary that has touched audiences around the world.
The Payne family’s story begins in the picturesque Norwegian countryside. There, Nik, an Englishman, and Maria, a Norwegian, raised their three children—Freja, 15; Falk, 12; and Ulv (Wolfie), 9—close to nature. The children were home-schooled, grew their own food, and lived a simple, creative life. The family had no television, and their home was filled with books, photos, and the occasional chaotic mess typical of any family.
But tragedy struck in 2019 when Maria was diagnosed with cancer. Filmmaker Silje Evensmo Jacobsen, who had previously made a short film about the family, returned to document their lives after Maria’s death. The resulting film captures Nik’s emotional journey as he tries to maintain the life they had built together while coping with the overwhelming loss.
The documentary, which won multiple awards at Sundance and other festivals, begins with the Payne family’s rustic life but takes a heartbreaking turn as it follows their struggle with grief. Nik, deeply affected by his wife’s death, focuses on staying true to the values they held dear—home-schooling the children, growing their own food, and staying close to nature. Yet, as he faces the daunting reality of raising three children alone, he begins to question his ability to maintain their idealistic lifestyle.
“I had to get up every day for the kids,” Nik says, reflecting on the early days after Maria’s death. “They bring joy in ways that remind me of what matters. They’re in their grief, but they don’t sit in it like adults do.”
The film showcases the raw and emotional reality of Nik’s grief, which often feels suffocating. “At the start, the grief takes your breath away,” he says. “The only thing you can do is breathe.” Despite his overwhelming feelings of loss, he remains dedicated to his children, trying to create a semblance of normalcy in their disrupted lives.
Nik and Maria’s love story began when Nik moved to Norway from Portugal. They were drawn to each other immediately, and within six weeks, Nik had moved to Norway to live with her and her young daughter from a previous relationship. Over the years, they built a smallholding, where Maria taught photography and film-making while Nik focused on farming. In 2014, Maria started a blog to document their life in nature, and it was this blog that eventually inspired Jacobsen to film the family.
Despite his initial reluctance, Nik agreed to continue the project after Maria’s death, believing it would serve as a legacy for her. “Maria was the one who wanted to share everything,” he says. “Her openness about our life, including her illness, is part of why I agreed to let the camera back in.”
As the documentary unfolds, it becomes clear that Nik’s life has become far more complicated without Maria. He struggles to provide for his children, grow food, and teach them, all while dealing with the emotional toll of loss. In one pivotal moment in the film, Nik sends his children to school, a decision he had hoped to avoid. “It was a feeling of defeat,” he admits. “I wanted to keep home-schooling them, but I couldn’t do it anymore.”
The children, especially Freja and Falk, adjust to mainstream school life, though not without some discomfort. Freja, who brings home a school-issued iPad, is met with resistance from Nik, who has always been wary of technology. Still, Nik tries to be supportive, though it’s clear that the transition to a more conventional life has been difficult for the family.
Nik’s journey through grief is profoundly lonely. “I was just alone,” he says of his experience. “It’s like being the last speaker of a dead language.” He also resisted seeking professional help, instead becoming his own therapist as he worked through the pain. “Maria always talked about ‘doing the inner work,’” Nik reflects. “I didn’t understand it then, but I’m starting to now.”
Despite these challenges, the family finds moments of lightness. Nik’s son, Wolfie, often provides comic relief with his boundless energy and playful nature. The family’s humor shines through even in the darkest moments. For instance, when Falk mourns the loss of their farm, Wolfie chimes in, “But not pet whales.”
The Paynes have experienced both hardship and healing, and the success of the film has brought them unexpected recognition. When they first saw the completed documentary, Nik was moved to tears. “I had no idea it would be so well-received,” he says. The film has since been shown worldwide, including in Norway and Japan, where their family’s Nordic style has resonated with audiences.
Despite the film’s success, Nik remains grounded. “I’m not money-oriented,” he says. “I’m just grateful that I can share this story.” For him, the film is not about fame or fortune—it’s about honoring Maria’s legacy and sharing their experience with others who may be going through similar struggles.
Looking ahead, Nik plans to continue pursuing his dream of farming and self-sufficiency. He hopes to buy a smallholding and return to home-schooling his children. Meanwhile, the family remains close-knit, finding comfort in their shared memories and their ongoing journey through grief.
Nik’s story is one of resilience, love, and the enduring power of family. While their lives have been shaped by loss, they have also been transformed by the love and strength they continue to find in one another.
A New Kind of Wilderness will be released on May 16, and the Payne family will attend select screenings for Q&A sessions.
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