GAIALAND

 

A documentary series uncovering the shocking true story of a fake Native American sect that brainwashed its members in the forests of Sweden and Finland during the 1990s.

 

The series tells the story of a community that gradually gained a cult reputation. In 1991, a group posing as a Native American tribe arrived in Finland and eventually settled in Kittilä. Several Finns joined the group, including Ilpo Okkonen and his family.

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The community was led by a self-proclaimed shaman, Norman William, who preached a vision of Gaialand — a promised place where people would live in harmony with nature. Behind the spiritual message were manipulation, lies, and a false past. As the truth about William began to emerge, tensions inside the group grew and the situation turned darker. Ultimately, a line was crossed that Ilpo Okkonen could no longer accept.

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Genre

Documentary series

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Runtime

4 Episodes x 52'

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Production

Mediawan Finland / Imagissime, France / Les Gens, Belgium

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Broadcasted on

YLE, RTBF, ARTE, DR

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Awards

Festival de Luchon,France, 2023 -

Prix Spécial de la série documentaire - format long

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