Atanarjuat

aka: The Fast Runner
Canada 2001, 168 minutes
Dir. Zacharias Kunuk
In Inuktitut with English subtitles
Rating: [M]
Genres: Foreign Cinema, Drama / Epic

Feat. Natar Ungalaaq, Sylvia Ivalu, Peter-Henry Arnatsiaq

Aroview: A ‘cause celebre’ of recent film festivals worldwide, this filmed folktale from the ice-bound Innuit communities of northern Canada, sustains its dramatic saga of good vs evil, revenge and sheer survival with astonishingly minimal means.

Shot on the icefloes and barren shorelines of the north using digital video equipment and local involvement, it concerns the dynastic battle for supremacy among a remote cluster of eskimo families, who must still band together to survive whatever happens. When one of their number is ambushed in a murderous raid he flees naked across the ice, the start of his transformation into an avenging warrior. Understated, naturalistic performances enhance the epically-weighted story, while the details of Innuit society, food-gathering, superstition and humour are consistently interesting.

Member Reviews

Average rating (Very Good). Showing 1-3 of 3 member reviews.

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4 stars (Very Good) An epic tale of Atanarjuat "the fast runner" and his brother, beginning before they were born, with their father's history, and of the tribe's 40-year struggle against an evil spirit. It's also a compelling and endearing love story. ~GenXGirl
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5 stars (Exceptional) The authenticity of Atanarjuat is aided by an inuit story handled by an inuit crew. And it shows. The indigenous heart isn't sacrificed or over explained. It just is, in this tale of betrayal, jealousy and redemption. Kahuninja ~Kahuninja
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3 stars (Good Enough) The length of the screenplay requires patience, but if slow, is never boring, and there is the location to admire plus an interesting soundtrack. ~Tubbs