In the remote corner of Norway, a unique education system has been gaining attention for its innovative approach to helping teenagers overcome phone addiction and develop essential life skills. The Folk High School concept, which originated in Denmark, emphasizes character-building experiences, social interaction, and self-reliance over academic achievements.
Meet Hege, an 19-year-old student at Pasvik Folk High School, one of the many establishments in Norway that offers this alternative education. Struggling with anxiety and social media obsession, Hege's daily routine is filled with scrolling through her phone, trying to keep up with what others think of her online persona. She confides, "I think a lot about what people think about me... You get tired of it." But all that changes when she arrives at Pasvik, where the focus shifts from screens to snow-capped mountains, frozen lakes, and the soothing sounds of nature.
Hege's experience is just one of many in this documentary, Folktales, which follows the lives of three teenagers - Hege, Romain, and Bjorn - as they navigate the challenges of self-discovery, teamwork, and personal growth. The film offers a refreshing counterpoint to the anxiety-inducing world of social media, where teens are increasingly lost in a sea of curated perfection.
The documentary highlights the unique learning experiences offered at Pasvik Folk High School, including dog sledding, wilderness survival, and traditional craftsmanship. These hands-on activities help students develop essential life skills, such as problem-solving, resilience, and teamwork, while also fostering a sense of community and social connection.
At Pasvik, students are encouraged to "wake up their Stone Age brains" and tap into a more primal sense of self-reliance. Romain, an 18-year-old Dutch dropout, is taught to build his own camp in the wilderness, where he learns to harness the power of fire, navigate by the stars, and rely on himself. The experience is not just about learning new skills but also about overcoming past fears and limitations.
Folktales offers a poignant commentary on the state of modern education, which often prioritizes academic achievement over personal growth and social interaction. As director Heidi Ewing notes, "The United States is very focused on data and outcomes... You take a test and you get graded and put on some kind of curve." In contrast, Pasvik Folk High School's approach emphasizes character-building experiences that can help students develop into more well-rounded, compassionate individuals.
As Hege reflects on her experience at Pasvik, it becomes clear that the journey has had a profound impact on her life. She has developed a newfound sense of confidence and purpose, one that is not tied to social media validation but rooted in her own strengths and passions.
The film raises important questions about the role of education in our increasingly digital world. Can we find a better balance between technology and human connection? How can we ensure that young people develop essential life skills that will serve them well beyond their academic careers?
Folktales is not just a documentary about phone addiction or teenage angst; it's a powerful exploration of what it means to be human in a world that often values efficiency over empathy. As the film shows, there are alternative paths forward - ones that prioritize character-building experiences, social interaction, and self-reliance over screens and data.
In a world where anxiety and loneliness are increasingly prevalent among young people, Folktales offers a beacon of hope. By sharing the stories of these remarkable teenagers, the documentary reminds us that there is another way to live, one that values community, resilience, and personal growth.
Meet Hege, an 19-year-old student at Pasvik Folk High School, one of the many establishments in Norway that offers this alternative education. Struggling with anxiety and social media obsession, Hege's daily routine is filled with scrolling through her phone, trying to keep up with what others think of her online persona. She confides, "I think a lot about what people think about me... You get tired of it." But all that changes when she arrives at Pasvik, where the focus shifts from screens to snow-capped mountains, frozen lakes, and the soothing sounds of nature.
Hege's experience is just one of many in this documentary, Folktales, which follows the lives of three teenagers - Hege, Romain, and Bjorn - as they navigate the challenges of self-discovery, teamwork, and personal growth. The film offers a refreshing counterpoint to the anxiety-inducing world of social media, where teens are increasingly lost in a sea of curated perfection.
The documentary highlights the unique learning experiences offered at Pasvik Folk High School, including dog sledding, wilderness survival, and traditional craftsmanship. These hands-on activities help students develop essential life skills, such as problem-solving, resilience, and teamwork, while also fostering a sense of community and social connection.
At Pasvik, students are encouraged to "wake up their Stone Age brains" and tap into a more primal sense of self-reliance. Romain, an 18-year-old Dutch dropout, is taught to build his own camp in the wilderness, where he learns to harness the power of fire, navigate by the stars, and rely on himself. The experience is not just about learning new skills but also about overcoming past fears and limitations.
Folktales offers a poignant commentary on the state of modern education, which often prioritizes academic achievement over personal growth and social interaction. As director Heidi Ewing notes, "The United States is very focused on data and outcomes... You take a test and you get graded and put on some kind of curve." In contrast, Pasvik Folk High School's approach emphasizes character-building experiences that can help students develop into more well-rounded, compassionate individuals.
As Hege reflects on her experience at Pasvik, it becomes clear that the journey has had a profound impact on her life. She has developed a newfound sense of confidence and purpose, one that is not tied to social media validation but rooted in her own strengths and passions.
The film raises important questions about the role of education in our increasingly digital world. Can we find a better balance between technology and human connection? How can we ensure that young people develop essential life skills that will serve them well beyond their academic careers?
Folktales is not just a documentary about phone addiction or teenage angst; it's a powerful exploration of what it means to be human in a world that often values efficiency over empathy. As the film shows, there are alternative paths forward - ones that prioritize character-building experiences, social interaction, and self-reliance over screens and data.
In a world where anxiety and loneliness are increasingly prevalent among young people, Folktales offers a beacon of hope. By sharing the stories of these remarkable teenagers, the documentary reminds us that there is another way to live, one that values community, resilience, and personal growth.
These schools should be everywhere 
they're teaching teens how to survive in the wilderness, build their own shelters, and work together as a team - no screens or social media involved 
can u imagine going on a dog sledding adventure with ur friends every day? 
it's like, totally refreshing after seeing everyone stuck in their online bubbles 24/7 
i'm literally dying to go to pasvik high school now and just live off the grid for a year 
anyone else feel the same way? 
I think it's super cool how Pasvik Folk High School is trying to shake things up in education 
. Like, who needs all that screen time when you can be out there living life in nature? 
It's so refreshing to see kids being encouraged to get hands-on and learn from real-life experiences instead of just staring at a screen for hours on end 
.
. We're all connected, you know? And education should be about helping people grow into compassionate, well-rounded humans, not just academics 
. Like, are we really measuring success by how many tests our kids pass or how much data they can spit out? I don't know about you guys, but to me, success is way more than that 
.
. And who knows, maybe this alternative education model will catch on and become the norm one day 
. Like, who needs all that wilderness survival and dog sledding? That just sounds like a bunch of hippie nonsense to me 
. And don't even get me started on the whole "waking up their Stone Age brains" vibe - what's wrong with being connected to the digital world already? 
I mean, come on, if I want to scroll through Instagram and get some likes, that's my business 
.
? It's not like the world is going to end if we all know how to text and navigate using Google Maps 
.
And I'm with the director on this one, I feel like our education system in the US is super focused on data and outcomes, but what about teaching kids how to be human and empathetic? 
I'm fascinated by this docu about Pasvik Folk High School in Norway... it's like, our obsession with screens & social media has kinda lost sight of what really matters - human connection, self-discovery, and learning to thrive without the crutch of likes & validation 