Rewilding A Forest | Artist and Poet Maria "Vildhjärta" Westerberg

This film is part of a series collaboration between three independent filmmakers - Reflections of Life, Campfire Stories and Happen Films. These films explore how small acts of love and kindness have the potential to ripple out and change the world, touching hearts and minds in ways that we could never begin to imagine. We'll be sharing a total of 12 short films, from across five continents - releasing one per month for the whole year of 2024 - four from each filmmaker. Watch all of the films here: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLye1JIzaiQ6rKe40SkcSWqo… Follow us on YouTube: Reflections of Life - youtube.com/@ReflectionsofLife Campfire Stories - youtube.com/@campfire-stories Happen Films - youtube.com/@happenfilms If you'd like to support us: Reflections of Life - www.patreon.com/reflectionsoflife Campfire Stories - www.patreon.com/mattiasolsson Happen Films - www.patreon.com/happenfilms

What astonishing things people can accomplish if they have the opportunity to follow their hearts instead of society’s pressure to conform. Maria’s art is delightful and her mission is so important now.

"I think it's one of the reasons why so many of us are depressed, because we don't get space and a place and a job where we can be kind. I think it's one of the nice things with humans, we're really kind if we get the chance." ❤

It's comforting to know that there are people like this lady out there.

Watching this I suddenly understood how ok it is to be sad under fluorescent lights and yellow walls. And how returning to the forest is returning to our ecosystem. Thank you to Maria, Johannes and Campfire Stories for this beautiful video.

I have learned to make a hot beverage, bring a box of tissue, and turn off my phone when I watch these videos. I have cried so much this past year with climate anxiety, and felt so alone. I’m autistic and nature is the only place I find peace with my mind. Today on my walk the honey bees were out. We should have snow right now. I’m so scared. But this soul and her friends have given me hope. Thank you for sharing her story with us. 💚🌳🌏

“I just don’t smear the world with it” - the most appropriate metaphor I’ve heard yet

When you feel the world is a shitty place, you find these films and your happy again.

I've never felt so understood! Kinship with tree, ferns, the silly little squirrels that follow us. "The forest as a friend"

This was a depression story a therapy story a ecological story a womens story a regrowth story a story of hope but most of all for me it was a love story

She is so naturally beautiful. She just has something that shines from within her.

What she says about humans not getting the chance to be kind is deep wisdom and I am profoundly affected by it. I hope I carry this always and it helps me and those around me from now on. Thank you all for bringing this wonderful film to us.

I don’t understand why human became a threat to this planet simply for superficial possessions and desires. I often feel overwhelmed and ashamed for being a human and living in this society that’s built upon human’s fear. But this lady showed us how kind and beautiful mankind can be. Really thank you for making this film. ❤

"can you abandonned someone that helped you when you were down...and now it's broken and I am not down anymore..." This is absolutely the way we all shall think about nature✨

This is one of the most beautiful films about one of the most beautiful people I ever saw. I love her art, her ideas, her thoughts about life and nature.

I started to move baby oak trees out of my yard because I hated to see oak trees die. I also started adding flowers to the woods that I know belong there because I saw them here as a child ... The wood poppies immediately took hold. Last year I added coral bells (which i have seen in the woods, not just at Lowe's!). This film gives me so many more ideas. I have begun to realize that biodiversity isneeded. It is already biodiverse where I live, but still not enough.

I'm Australian. The fairy folk have been whispering 'Mattias' to me all week. I don't know any Mattias. Now it makes sense. I'm at the end of a very long and painful cycle and the house i rent is being sold. I may not be able to afford to rent in town. I have a feeling my children and i will be moving out of town. If i am to restore forest, it will have to restore me. I'm recovering from chronic fatigue in to of a long list of illnesses. I am already much better than i was, so it seems doable. Thank you 💙

The trees have a purifying field. After my wife died and I was in post traumatic stress I created paths through forests in Ireland for months in Winter. I'm grateful to these trees for their love and purity.

I so so agree with the thought that so many of us just simply aren't given the space, and occupation to be ourselves...to be kind, to be true.. and it hurts. And we are hurting..

This woman is so beautiful outside and inside. So sensitive and caring. She's not arrogant, she cares and try to understand how she could help nature restore herself not just using the human way. She's a forest witch without knowing it ❤