172 minutes – Drama
Release date: April 12, 2002
DVD Release date: November 19, 2002
Canadian distributor: Odeon Films
This film, the first feature-length Inuit-speaking drama ever made, tells the story of two brothers – Atanarjuat (Ungalaaq) and Amaqjuaq (Innukshuk) – who provoke Okai (Arnatsiaq), an ill-tempered husband-to-be of the beautiful Ataut (Ivalu). When Atuat decides to marry Atanarjuat instead, it sets in motion a chain of events that eventually leads to betrayal and murder. Despite being shot on digital video, Atanarjuat (The Fast Runner) is epic – even Shakespearean – in scope, culminating in an astounding twenty-minute sequence as Atanarjuat races naked across melting ice flows, pursued by the murderous Okai. An authentic recreation by Zacharias Kunuk of an oral tale told over thousands of years, the film demystifies the exotic, otherworldly Aboriginal stereotype by telling a powerful, universal story. It was given Genie Awards for Picture, Director, Screenplay, Editing, and Musical Score. It also won the Claude Jutra Award for first-time feature directors, and won a Caméra D’Or at Cannes. Northernstars.ca chose Atanarjuat as one of its Top 10 Canadian Films of the Decade in December 2009.
Also see: From The Edge of the Earth – an article from our Take One archives.
Production still and poster courtesy of Odeon Films.
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Crew:
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Producer:
| Paul Apak Angilirq
Norman Cohn
Zacharias Kunuk
Germaine Wong
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Executive Producer:
| Sally Bochner
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Director:
| Zacharias Kunuk
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Screenwriter:
| Paul Apak Angilirq Norman Cohn Zacharias Kunuk Herve Paniaq Pauloosie Qulitalik
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Cinematographer:
| Norman Cohn
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Editor:
| Norman Cohn Zacharias Kunuk Marie-Christine Sarda
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Composer:
| Chris Crilly
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Cast: |
Roles:
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Natar Ungalaaq
Sylvia Ivalu
Peter-Henry Arnatsiaq
Lucy Tulugarjuk
Madeline Ivalu
Pauloosie Qulitalik
Eugene Ipkarnak
Pakak Innuksuk
Neeve Irngaut
Abraham Ulayuruluk
Apayata Kotierk
Mary Qulitalik
Luke Taqqaugaq
Alex Uttak
Eric Nutarariaq
Stephen Qrunnut
Pipily Akkitirq
Mary Angutautuk
Charlie Qulitalik
Atuat Akkitiq
Catherine Alaralak
Susan Kublu
Samueli Ammaq
Micheline Ammaq
Lucien Ukkalianuk
Therese Ukkalianuk
Felix Alaralak
Elizabeth Nutarakittuq
Jenny Irngaut
Rita Ijjiraq
Andrew Uyarasuk
Cindy Paniaq
Lou Paula Kunuk
Maggie Ukkalianuk
Arsene Ivalu
Racheal Uyarasuk
Catherine Arnatsiaq
Reena Qulitalik
Bernice Ivalu
Mark Alaralak
Isa Akkitirq
Laurent Arnatsiaq
Isa Ammaq
Cora Akkitirq
Steven Akkitirq
Wilma Ammaq
Daniel Akkitirq
Hayley-June Ammaq
Colleen Ulayuruluk
Andrew Micheli
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Atanarjuat Atuat, wife of Atanarjuat Oki Puja Panikpak Qulitalik / A shaman Sauri, the chief Amaqjuaq Uluriaq Tungajuaq Kumaglak Niriuniq Pittiulak Pakak Young Sauri Young Tulimaq Young Pittaluk Young Panikpak Young Qulitalik Sauri`s wife Young Sauri`s wife Young Qulitalik`s wife Sigluk Asa Uttuqiaq Saku Tulimaq Pittaluk Oki`s wife Pittiulak`s wife Young Sigluk Young Sigluk`s wife Young Uttuqiaq Young Uttuqiaq`s wife Qillaq Elder lady Elder lady Child Kigutikaajuk Child Kumaglak Child Amaqjuat Child Oki Baby Atanarjuat Child Child Child Child Child Child Child
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