A new documentary, Folktales, from the makers of Jesus Camp, follows Norwegian teenagers as they spend a year at a folk high school in the Arctic wilderness, learning survival skills to combat social media-induced anxiety.
The film focuses on 19-year-old Hege, who struggles with excessive phone use and anxiety about others' perceptions. At Pasvik Folk High School, 200 miles above the Arctic Circle, students learn dog sledding, tent pitching, and cold-weather survival instead of attending traditional classes.
Directors Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady were drawn to the Scandinavian folk high school concept, which emphasises character building over test scores. 'There are no tests, written or otherwise. They are about building character, becoming a more enhanced adult,' says Ewing.
Norway has 85 such schools, hosting about 7,000 students annually. A year at Pasvik costs around £10,000, but most students receive government-subsidised loans. The film shows students finding peace in activities like dog sledding, with Hege eventually going hours without checking her phone.
While Folktales presents a polished view of the experience, it highlights a growing trend of using outdoor pursuits to address digital-age anxieties.
