An Australian war veterans journey from trauma to inner peace in Norways remote Arctic Circle.

Review by Victoria Angelique:

The story of Lex Reilly in PEACE WILDERNESS MAN is one that shows endurance is a skill that comes from deep within the soul. This begins with Lex starting in his childhood, showing that his need to protect himself began as a boy when he grew in a household filled with substance abuse as both of his parents were alcoholics as he recounted a story of a party where his father failed to protect him from a predator. Lex believes this led him to join the Australian Army.

Lex served his country by being sent to fight in Afghanistan, but this came with invisible battle scars in the form of PTSD. This powerful documentary showed that war doesn’t just affect the soldier, but the entire family, as Lex ended up divorced and separated from his children. He even stated that his kids needed psychological help that they never received. This leaves a powerful message that the militaries of the world need to do better by those who serve their countries and their families. War affects everyone.

It was only when Lex retreated to nature, he began to find his spiritual side. It took taking a community job at a surf club by rescuing a boy from drowning to realize his life still had meaning and that he still had a purpose. His connection to the importance of divinity came when Lex got the opportunity of a life, the chance to join an Arctic expedition. 

It was in Norway’s wilderness that Lex began to finally understand that humans are part of nature and through the land’s indigenous people, he learned that wisdom comes through nature. Returning to nature can connect a person closer to divinity. This helped Lex find his true purpose in life, which means he will be able to help other people.