“Atanarjuat – The Fast Runner”
Directed by Zacharias Kunuk
Rating: *****
A filmmaker once said that a true epic must contain the elements of tragedy, romance and comedy with some action. “Atanarjuat – The Fast Runner” has all these and much more, being based on an ancient Inuit legend with a story brimming with emotions. Set in the eastern Arctic wilderness, it is the first Inuit language film, but most importantly, it is also proudly Canadian. Oddly, “Atanarjuat” has opened almost everywhere else in the world before just opening in Canada.
The film begins with the murder of an Inuit camp leader and a power struggle. The new leader’s evil son plans to murder the camp’s two best hunters, Atanarjuat (Natar Ungalaaq) a.k.a. the Fast Runner and Amaqjuaq, the Strong One. Atanarjuat’s escape, by running naked across the frozen tundra, is no doubt the film’s best sequence. The film traces Inuit life, through this man’s story, the tribe’s songs, chores, beliefs and rituals.
But the film, shot on widescreen digital Betacam and transferred to 35 mm, is spectacular in outlook. From the kayak floating across the crystal clear Arctic waters, reflecting the shimmering sunlight to the glimmer of a fire in an igloo breaking the darkness of night, this is astonishing beauty. Into this picture, Director Kunuk throws in the Inuit story, revealing his tale slowly but surely. There are suspenseful moments worthy of Hitchcock, like the stretched out scene in which three ambushers wait, eager to pounce on the sleeping brothers with their spears. The climatic fight on the polished iced igloo floor is well executed and worthy of any action flick. Best of all, the story involves classic human traits as the will to power, fight for survival, forgiveness and true love. It also contains a true villain (one willing to punish his faithful tired huskies) and a dashing hero. Despite male dominance in such a harsh environment, director Kunuk offers equal male and female points of view on subject matters.
The film was shot on location at Igloolik, a small island in the north Baffin region of the Canadian Arctic. The sea-ice, space, sky, northern lights and breathtaking landscape are the film’s real stars.
“Atanarjuat” was Canada’s official submission for the 2002 Best Language Film Oscar. Sadly, the Academy shunned it – and it did not even receive a nomination. But, it has gone on to win more important awards like the Camera d’Or in Cannes and the Best Canadian Feature film at the Toronto International Film Festival. No doubt, it will win the most prestigious award of all, a place in the viewer’s heart. Enthralling, stunning, captivating and pure delight, this is pure cinema at its best!
