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

Title: Once Upon a Forest
Created by: Campfire Stories

Synopsis: Maria was a romantic, animal-loving, dreamy child who, growing up, had a hard time conforming to the demands associated with the trajectory towards "a normal life". As a young adult she became depressed, and was encouraged by her therapist to go for walks in the forest. The myriad of funny-looking twigs and sticks she found along the way immediately put her on a path to recovery. Now, 25 years later, she's a celebrated "twig poet" whose art is shown in galleries throughout Sweden. When a climate related crisis strikes the forest where she lives and works, she's forced into a new type of creativity in order to save the place that once upon a time saved her.

Filmed in: Värmland, Sweden

The films of the series "Something Beautiful for the World" 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.

More info about the three production companies below:

Campfire Stories

Reflections of Life

Happen Films


A huge thank you to the following brilliant people, who gave so generously of their to time to help with translations, enabling us to provide subtitles for this film, in the following languages:

Bulgarian: Polina Stoyanova
Dutch: Karla Greven
Croatian: Davor Bobanac
(English: Mattias Olsson)
French: Amélie Macoin
German: Tanja Pütz
Indonesian: Ary Nuansa
Italian: Grazia Gironella
Polish: Anna Konieczna
Portuguese: Sibylle Steinpass
Slovakian: Zuzana Beračova
Slovenian: Jasmina Kovačič
Spanish: Patricia Aguirre
(Swedish: Mattias Olsson)

[campfire-stories]

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.


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[deborahjohnson]

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.

[tim_butcher]

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

[samanthakeyser]

"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." ❤

[kianmingpang]

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. ❤

[mycelium]

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

[gonzalokern]

"It's just so many Woodpeckers, sorry I'm distracted" I love those uncut moments

[fedeficiency]

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.

[clochette]

"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✨

[jessicajae]

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

[Lightandlovetoyou]

I cried watching this and felt so many wonderful emotions thank you 🙏🏼
My heart ❤️
Such a beautiful soul and woman !

[scottyoung]

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. 💚🌳🌏

[johnfowler]

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.

[robwhite]

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

[kevinmccoy]

I'm a fanatic wildlife/pollinator gardener in the central California foothills, and since I retired, I've been planting hundreds of trees/shrubs/plants in ever increasing numbers on my 10 acres. The results have been astounding, with a large increase of wildlife. I also have a huge pond that I've been filling as needed during our dry years, and the amount of life it supports is magical-- frogs, dragonflies, fish, etc. I put out tons of birdseed every year, and those birds are preyed on by many different falcons, hawks, and others. I can't imagine not living in the country-- every day is filled with joy! Plus, I have 3 dogs that I So, paradise! Thanks for sharing!

[juliaconway]

Tears of joy over these kind, gentle people. They get it. Bless them and their lovely forest

[gretafields]

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.

[kckrye]

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

[hara]

That was your work, sister,
to undo the damage done
by the earlier generations
of your family.
There is no better work ❤
You are truly truly Blessed.

[JohnBurman-ll]

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.