The Experimental Eskimos (2009)

In the early 1960s the Canadian government conducted an experiment in social engineering. Three young Inuit boys were separated from their families in the Arctic and were sent to Ottawa, ... See full summary »

Director:

Barry Greenwald

Stars:

Peter Ittinuar, Zebedee Nungak, Eric Tagoona

1 win.

Cast

Credited cast:
Peter Ittinuar	...	Self
Zebedee Nungak	...	Self
Eric Tagoona	...	Self

Storyline

In the early 1960s the Canadian government conducted an experiment in social engineering. Three young Inuit boys were separated from their families in the Arctic and were sent to Ottawa, the nation's capital, to live with white families and to be educated in white schools. The consequences the experiment would have on the boys, their identity and culture was brushed aside. The bureaucrats did not anticipate the outcome. The three grow up to be political activists and leaders - often at odds with the government that brought them south. They establish aboriginal rights in Canada and are instrumental in the creation of Nunavut, the world's largest self-governed aboriginal territory. But it all comes at a tremendous personal cost. Peter Ittinuar, Zebedee Nungak, and Eric Tagoona recount their stories, achievements and challenges in this film about an attempt at assimilation, empowerment, and the triumph of the human spirit.

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Plot Keywords:

aboriginal | inuit | canada | arctic | social change | 

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Genres:

Documentary

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User Reviews

The Experimental Eskimos - hope and no hope at the same time.

This movie is a movie that leaves the viewer feeling very confused after watching it. On the one hand it is a movie of success and on the other hand it is a movie about failure. How is success measured? By our personal achievements, or by how society views our personal achievements? What happens when the society marked achievements, such as being able to have your own form of First Nations rule your own territory equals societal acceptance versus the inner turmoil that one feels as an individual inside oneself. That is what I think this movie is all about. To me, the director of the movie is questioning his own existence. He does this by weaving a story about the Canadian natives because of the symbolic nature of Eskimos (spiritual, mystical and authentic versus fake). The film director himself is in an existential crisis, searching for true meaning, and at the same time he created a Master piece of time with, The Experimental Eskimos.

Details

Country:

Canada

Language:

English Inuktitut

Release Date:

3 May 2009 (Canada)

Filming Locations:

Baker Lake, Nunavut, Canada

Company Credits

Production Co:

White Pine Pictures, Paunna Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

70 min

Color:

Color