Atanarjuat (2001)

User Rating:

7.4/10   

Director:

Zacharias Kunuk

Writers:

Paul Apak Angilirq (writer)
Norman Cohn (additional writer)

Release Date:

1 February 2002 (UK)

Genre:

Drama | Fantasy

Plot:

The telling of an Inuit legend of an evil spirit causing strife in the community and one warrior's endurance and battle of its menace.

Plot Keywords:

Inuit | Arctic | Evil Spirit | Shaman | Revenge

Awards:

20 wins & 10 nominations

Cast

Natar Ungalaaq	...	Atanarjuat
Sylvia Ivalu	...	Atuat
Peter-Henry Arnatsiaq	...	Oki
Lucy Tulugarjuk	...	Puja
Madeline Ivalu	...	Panikpak
Pauloosie Qulitalik	...	Qulitalik / A shaman (as Paul Qulitalik)
Eugene Ipkarnak	...	Sauri, the chief
Pakak Innuksuk	...	Amaqjuaq (as Pakkak Innushuk)
Neeve Irngaut	...	Uluriaq
Abraham Ulayuruluk	...	Tungajuaq
Apayata Kotierk	...	Kumaglak
Mary Qulitalik	...	Niriuniq
Luke Taqqaugaq	...	Pittiulak
Alex Uttak	...	Pakak
Eric Nutarariaq	...	Young Sauri

Also Known As:

Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner (Australia) (Canada: English title)
Atanarjuat - La légende de l'homme rapide (Canada: French title)
The Fast Runner
The Fast Runner (Atanarjuat) (USA)

MPAA:

Rated R for some sexuality/nudity and violence.

Runtime:

172 min | Argentina:174 min (Mar del Plata Film Festival) | Australia:168 min | Finland:172 min (Helsinki International Film Festival) | UK:168 min

Country:

Canada

Language:

Inuktitut

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Germany:12 | Singapore:PG (cut) | Argentina:13 | Australia:MA | Canada:14A (Alberta/British Columbia) | Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) | Canada:AA (Ontario) | Canada:G (Quebec) | Canada:PA (Manitoba) | France:U | Hong Kong:III | Iceland:10 | Japan:PG-12 | South Korea:15 | UK:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Igloolik, Nunavut, Canada

Company:

Aboriginal Peoples Television Network

Trivia:

This is the first film ever released totally in the Inuktitut language.

Quotes:

Atuat: [to Atanarjuat] I hunt you. Your my own wolf.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Holiday (2006)

Though provoking and well made

I don't recall a movie with such a basic storyline grip me for the entire movie. I live in a very cold climate and my appreciation for the Inuit (and other northern aboriginals) has magnified. This movie did not get the publicity it deserved not even in its native country. I do not recommend reviewing the extras on the disc before watching it, it does have a slow start as you try to understand the hierarchy of the tribe, but when it goes you are on edge. What amazed me the most is that these UN-POLISHED actors did such a remarkable job especially in their emotional display. Worth buying to keep, such gens don't come easy