Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner (2001)
"Atanarjuat" (original title)

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.

Director:

Zacharias Kunuk

Writers:

Paul Apak Angilirq, Norman Cohn (additional writer),

Stars:

Natar Ungalaaq, Sylvia Ivalu, Peter-Henry Arnatsiaq

22 wins & 11 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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

Storyline

Centuries ago, in what would become the Canadian Arctic, Atuat is promised to the malevolent Oki, son of the leader of their tribe. But Atuat loves the good-natured Atanarjuat, who ultimately finds a way to marry her. Oki's sister, Puja also fancies Atanarjuat, and when she causes strife between him and his brother Amaqjuaq, Oki seizes the opportunity to wreak a terrible revenge on Atanarjuat.

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Plot Keywords:

inuit | arctic | evil spirit | shaman | revenge | 

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Genres:

Drama | Fantasy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some sexuality/nudity and violence

Details

Official Sites:

Igloolik Isuma Productions [ca] productions photos, sketches, media Lot 47 Films

Country:

Canada

Language:

Inuktitut

Release Date:

12 April 2002 (Canada)

Also Known As:

The Fast Runner (Atanarjuat)

Filming Locations:

Igloolik, Nunavut, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

CAD 1,960,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$36,342 (USA) (7 June 2002)

Gross:

$3,786,801 (USA) (24 January 2003)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Aboriginal Peoples Television Network, Canada Television and Cable Production Fund License Program (CTCPF), Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit (CPTC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

172 min 174 min 172 min 161 min (DVD)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

While this film would never get SPCA approval, every animal killed was used in true Inuit fashion; all the meat was consumed, and the skins were put to practical use.

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Goofs

Just before Atanarjuat jumps over the crevasse, the shadow of a crew member appears in the snow, at the bottom of the screen, to the left.

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Quotes

Oki: What are you all looking at? Haven't you ever seen anyone kick a dog before?

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Crazy Credits

The film's end credits play next to behind the scenes footage of the making of the film. Many primary cast and crew members appear at the same time that their credits come on screen.

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Connections

Referenced in The Holiday (2006)

User Reviews

Riveting

The atmosphere, the culture, the legend brought to life, the score, the people, it was magical realism done right. I read a lot of insulting reader comments on this film, and I am so glad I went to see it anyway. It was long, but it was in no way slow. I was riveted.

True, it did have a documentary feel... but I like documentaries... you could think of it as a documentary on Inuit legends and story telling as seen by the story tellers and their listeners. The effect was to allow the audience to share the feelings of persons in an alien culture.

The score was eclectic, effectively changing from Inuit chants to Gyuto Monk chants, and then to eerie Bulgarian choral music, and back to Inuit. Again, the effect was to blur cultural boundaries and move the viewer away from the familiar and into the Inuit.

If there was one small fault, the subtitles were done in white, which did not always show up against the landscape. Yellow might have been a better choice.

I suspect that if you are a fan of Jim Jarmusch's "Dead Man" (as I am) then you will be one of this film as well.