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(out of 5)
This gorgeously shot film by Zacharias Kunuk is the first feature to be made in the language of Inuktitut. In a remote Innu village in the Arctic, a shaman brings evil down upon the land which manifests itself years later with the rivalry between friendly Atanarjuat and the chief’s jealous son Oki. Atanarjuat romances the local beauty who was promised to Oki as a child, and marries her after his rival loses a bet. From there, a heartstopping tale of bitter revenge, survival and the intervention of the spirit world unfolds before your eyes, rich with cultural detail and human drama. Excellent acting and a glimpse into a rarely represented Canadian culture make this an experience of a most unique nature.
Aboriginal Peoples Television Network, Canada Television and Cable Production Fund License Program, Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit, Canadian Government, Canadian Television, Channel 24 Igloolik, Igloolik Isuma Productions Inc., National Film Board of Canada, Telefilms Equity Investment Program, Vision Television
Directed by Zacharias Kunuk
Screenplay by Paul Apak Angilirq, additional material by Norman Cohn, Zacharias Kunuk, Herve Paniaq, Pauloosie Qulitalik
Cinematography by Norman Cohn
Produced by Paul Apak Angilirq, Norman Cohn, Zacharias Kunuk, Germaine Wong
Music by Chris Crilly
Production Design by James Ungalaaq
Costume Design by Atuat Akkitiq
Film Editing by Norman Cohn, Zacharias Kunuk, Marie-Christine Sarda
Independent Spirit Awards 2002.
New York Film Critics Awards 2002.
Online Film Critics Awards 2002.
