11/13/06 The Fast Runner (Atanarjuat)

The Fast Runner (Atanarjuat) (2001), directed by Zacharias Kunuk

watched solo; DVD rental (Netflix) @ home; suggested by Andrew A.

I'll be the first to admit that I have seen very few Inuit movies. I'm going to go out on a limb and say that there probably aren't too many Inuit movies out there altogether. That is again, a very uniinformed guess, but I'll take my chances. Honestly, how can the filmmaking equipment stand those frigid temperatures anyway? Wrapped in blubber or packed tightly inside of an igloo, I just think the camera would freeze over, and any decent footage would be lost and be forced to carry on in the tradition of word-of-mouth re-tellings of ancient times and the spirits that transcended all technology of the present. Such is the plot of this beautifully shot (I know that camera equipment can indeed last the frozen tundra, but will this movie review? probably not) and scripted tale of a nomadic Inuit tribe and some of their memorable members of the community. In essence, this is a cautionary tale of love, family, tradition, honor and sacrifice in their close-knit tribe. The two lead characters are brothers, and best friends, elder Amaqjuaq (the Strong One) and younger Atanarjuat (the Fast Runner). The two brothers are well-liked and well-respected within the tribe, but are still by no means without enemies. When the younger Atanarjuat begins romancing the good-natured Atuat, the tribe leader's son (and all around jerk) Oki is none too pleased. Seeing that he was promised her in marriage at a very young age, Oki will stop at nothing to denounce the feelings of Atuat & Atanarjuat, and bring shame on the two brothers. What Oki does not anticipate is the strong resistance that not only the stoic Amaqjuaq possesses, but the eager defiance that Atanarjuat displays in professing his feelings for Atuat. The heated debate over a promised hand in marriage boils over into a fight for manhood and pride within the tribe, which Atanarjuat wins. With his pride hurt, Oki and his lackeys threaten revenge at any cost on this happy union and the family of the brothers. In a flash of hated violence, Oki and his men storm the camp of the brothers' family's and kill Amaqjuaq and send young Atanarjuat fleeing naked (yes, completely naked in frigid conditions) on foot across the polar landscape. Escaping with his life, it is a long time before Atanarjuat can return home to his wife & brother's widow, and face Oki once again. It is a tumultuous tale of this ancient tribal community, and goes into touching details about how they live their everyday lives, feed their young, love one another and try to survive amongst harsh conditions. It's a very raw and realistic glimpse into a world that is so completely foreign and unknown to me. A thoroughly engaging film, you will find yourself completely awe-inspired by the cinematography and simplicity to the actors' re-telling of such a timeless battle of good vs. evil. It's as if you have been invited intimately into this wonderful Inuit tribe's life and had the privilege of getting to understand where they are coming from.

4 out of 5 stars