7/10
If long, but impressive nonetheless
30 June 2002
The first Inuit film about an Inuit legend, acted by Inuits, produced by an all out Inuit cast, none of them professional actors. What do you end up with? A fascinating look at a culture people really get to see, a landscape shot in digital video (no doubt the only equipment that could work in that sometimes forboding environment) that looks amazing, a universal story that transcends an era (is it now? is it 18th century, is it during the ICE AGE??!?!), and a cast that tells a tale and creates characters better than most people earning the big bucks in Hollywood.

The film I did find a little overlong, it felt like at times the numerous school pictures and images I saw sometimes in school of Inuit people as a kid through documentaries. But for those who never even considered what this culture had to offer or even look like, I am sure they will be entranced.

Everyone can relate to the stories humanity, waring tribes, love and deceit. It also contains a scene of a man fleeing for his life running stark naked endlessly across the frozen arctic from his pursuers. It is a scene that is jaw dropping..

However, the length did cause me to check my watch at times. It does run into 3 hours and many of the scenes sometimes caused me to wonder where the story was going. But can I say I have ever seen anything like this before or that impressive by a bunch of so called "first time film-makers and cast". Far from it..

Rating 7 out of 10
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