Well-written, well-acted. Sure, it's a story we think we have seen before, but the filmmaker deftly brings to this film all the uniqueness, mystery, historical baggage of its very singular setting. Many interesting aspects of the northern indigenous people's culture and ways are woven into the story. There are many humourous, poignant moments, such as when the school's teacher -- a white guy from southern Canada who is in the settlement for a year in order to get a leg up on paying back his student loans -- goes out to see his best player at his home. The best player stands outside, still as a statue with his grandparents. The teacher roars up on his snow mobile, asking the student why he hasn't been at school. The student calmly tells the teacher that he and his grandparents are waiting for the seals. He says, "If you even move your toe, they can hear you... We've been standing here for hours." To which the teacher replies: "Oh, my bad."
The soundtrack is also amazing.
Congratulations to everyone involved in this film! It is first class!
The soundtrack is also amazing.
Congratulations to everyone involved in this film! It is first class!