Rating: 
Summary: You've never seen anything like it before.
Review: "Atanarjuat - The Fast Runner," the first-ever film done entirely in the Inuit language, is a three-hour-long epic, ultimately rewarding if you're willing to indulge in it. Done on digital video and filmed by actors from the native tribe near regions of the Arctic, the filmmakers capture images onscreen that were impossible to do before this technology became available. Because digital video doesn't use tape that wouldn't have survived the harsh temperatures of the region, we are able to see things like a group of Inuits on the hunt or a man running completely naked across entirely frozen regions of land. For that alone, the film is fascinating, a landmark in film history. The story the film portrays, though, is equally as compelling, for it's a tragedy as twisty as anything Shakespeare wrote. Set in a time shortly after the Ice Age, it tells a story that has passed down as folklore. A tribe becomes infected by evil when a curse hits them. The ruling family of the tribe is particularly corrupt. One member of the tribe, though not a great hunter himself, has two sons of promise, and, when the two grow into men, they hold the fate of the tribe in their hands. Atanarjuat, the younger son who grows into the fastest runner and best hunter in the tribe, is the object of envy and scorn from the son of the ruling family. Atanarjuat's even in love with that son's intended bride, whom he wins after a tribal duel. Resentment grows within the ruling family as a result of this. And Puta, the daughter from the ruling family, is also in love with Atanarjuat, and she's capable of schemes and machinations. As time passes, trouble brews, and "Atanarjuat" becomes a sort of Eskimo "Melrose Place." (You're not going to BELIEVE how Puta tries to commit adultery with one brother while the other's sleeping next to her in the same teepee. That was one of the best scenes I saw last year.) It's always compelling, and it works as effective soap opera. But the ambition surrounding the film makes it far greater than that. Though I don't speak Inuit and likely will never see another Inuit film, I feel as though this was well-acted, well-written and a labor of love for all involved in its making. (The difficulty of the filming is exhibited over the film's end credits, showing how exactly "Atanarjuat" was done.) It's an interesting, important film, compelling because of its story and significant because it even exists.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic Film!!!
Review: All the people who said this film was way too long really missed the point. In these people's lives there are no TVs, cell phones, DVDs, vehicles, etc. Time is everything--time to hunt for food, time to build shelter, sew clothing, live. I loved the scenery in this movie, and the way the characters found the beauty in such a harsh life. The story was complex, and it had a fitting ending. I enjoyed all the performances, especially the woman who played Puja--what a wench!! Anyway, don't be put off by the 3 hour length. It is a beautiful and enjoyable movie. My boss let me watch his copy--he loves it, is Eskimo, and even remembered quite a bit of the language.
Rating:
Summary: A Superb Storytelling in Digital Age (and much much more)
Review: The beauty of this movie lies in its unique style that pulls viewers up close with the people and the action, allowing us to catch a glimpse of rich Inuit culture and their harsh yet life-sustaining beautiful homeland through seasons. The material culture was meticulously researched and presented as beautiful clothing, ice architecture, and other personal belongings, which are sometimes given hidden meanings for "the Southern" viewers. Maybe our storyteller Zacharias Kunuk intentionally made them more eloquent than the spoken narrative, which is curiously kept minimal. When I first saw it I was often confused about what is happening until I learned more about the legend much later. I recommend the "Deluxe" DVD set available from www.amazon.ca, which comes with special features including the original legend, the production diary, cast bios, and family trees of Atanarjuat and Oki. You can get the same information from www.atanarjuat.com. Those materials are very helpful to appreciate the movie. People of Nunavut is fortunate to be blessed with Zacharias Kunuk, a great filmmaker and visionary. I was lucky to be in Canada last summer when I caught three episodes of "Nunavut (Our Land)" on Bravo!, produced by Igloolik Isuma Production in 1995, which tells tales of an Inuit community in 1940s with a style similar to Atanarjuat. I am totally fascinated by the works of Isuma. To learn more about them, visit www.isuma.ca.
Rating:
Summary: an Inuit love story
Review: Love stories abound in the movie world, but what makes this love story special and different from others is the environment in which it takes place and the overall simplicity. The plot has everything one would find in any good love story minus the expensive props. The film incorporates traditional music using drums and throat singing (which interestingly also occurs in Mongolia). Everything from the food the Inuit eat to their customs and rituals is shown. Nothing from industrial society is depicted in this film. Anyone who has an interest in different cultures of various indigenous people of the world like myself will find this film captivating. The film was nearly three hours long yet it seemed a lot shorter. There are not too many details I can give about the plot without spoiling the film. What I can say however is that the film makes a statement about forgiveness and moving on with things as opposed to holding on to things that are history and can't be undone. One of the things in the film which some may find disturbing is the cruelty towards some of the dogs used to pull sleighs. One of the characters kicks and hits on one of the huskies. I can tell by the way the dog was acting that the character was really hitting the dog rather hard. The abuse of the dog was a way of showing the personality of the antagonist of the film (Oki). Since the film was made entirely in the Northwest Territories province of Canada, the American Humane Society had no control over what they were able to do. We must understand however that what americans would call abuse of dogs is perhaps a way of life for the Inuit. The Inuit use huskies simply as a form of transportation, not as loving pets.
Rating:
Summary: WONDERFUL EPIC TALE HONESTLY PRESENTED
Review: This movie is not to be missed! It is original and refreshingly uncompromising in its intensity. Virtually the entire production staff and cast are Inuit -- native Eskimos of the Northwest Territories. Where to begin? The director Zacharias Kunuk, when he was a boy, he first heard the thousand-year-old legend of Atanarjuat. "You never forget that image of this naked man running on the ice," he said at a recent interview. "You wonder what's going through his head, and you never want to experience it." But we're getting ahead of the story. In Kunuk's presentation, THE FAST RUNNER defies clichés and stereotypes about Inuit culture. Not only that, but evidence of the film's sophistication and excellence is that in 2002 it had been awarded the Camera d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival. However, it badly reflects on our "culture" that THE FAST RUNNER has made a mere $2-million at the box office -- while a summer series of trashy, loud, mindless action-adventure flicks have raked it in by the tens of millions. But I digress. This is an epic account of an 11th-century Inuit blood feud, that had been shot on digital video in northernmost Canada. They shot on location a hundred miles or more above the Arctic Circle. The scene is eerily and spectacularly beautiful. The scene is also mysterious, sensual, emotionally intense. The movie is universal in recounting: love, desire, sexual betrayal, rape, jealousy, intrigue, murder, patricide, revenge, exorcism, mental telepathy, and fate. There is so much crammed into this epic tale that the three hours go by without notice. It is amazing that Zacharias Kunuk could squeeze so much life into ONLY three.hours. Yet all of this is played out in a single Inuit clan. The underlying group's problems, according to the elders, come from a curse that has fallen upon the group. Meanwhile, everyday Inuit life is preseeented to us in fascinating detail: the women's face tattoos, the carefully tended seal-oil lamps, the endless variation in the texture of the snow, the boisterously rough relationship of the sled dogs to their masters, the extravagant couture, the bawdy put-downs, dining on raw meat while loudly exclaiming on its delightful freshness -- or its fetid age. The plot revolves around a sexual rivalry between two cousins, Atanarjuat and Oki, which eventually leads to ritual head punches in a contest for the favors of the beautiful Atuat. Atanarjuat, generally regarded as the weaker of the two young hunters, unexpectedly wins. Oki is unconsolably jelous and simmers in a perpetual homocidal rage. The family relations become even more complicated once Atanarjuat even takes Oki's saucy sister, Puja, as his second wife.The noble-looking Atanarjuat (Natar Ungalaaq) settles into the good life while the snarling Oki plots revenge and schemes how to get Atuat who "rightfully" belongs to him. Meanwhile, the flirtatious, trouble making Puja is played off against the demure Atuat. Puja thrives on intensifying conflict -- while avoiding obligatory community work. Eventually, Oki murderously strikes killing Atanarjuat's brother, but misses Atanarjuat who springs naked from his tent and runs for his life across the seemingly endless Arctic ice. Pursued by Oki and his two henchmen, Atanarjuat's escape seems hopeless. Imagine the scene: a naked man running for his life across a frozen desert while three determined hunters are hell bent on running him down to kill him. The film has to be seen to be believed. You'll never forget it.
Rating: 
Summary: "Only Atanarjuat runs like that"
Review: This is one of those movies that start out really slow, but if you hang in there and make it through the first forty-five minutes, you will end up satisfied. In my opinion the creators of "The Fast Runner" use the slow pace in the movie as a reflection of the speed at which life moves in the Inuit tribe on which the story focuses. The movie starts when a demon visits an Inuit group and curses them. At this time, Tulimag is having trouble to feed his family and already starts receiving a treatment that is not the "usual" this society gives to its members. Eskimos are known for their generosity and solidarity, but Tulimag becomes the object of ridicule and he is only given the leftovers from the food the others get. Years later, his two sons are well respected and some of the best hunters in the group. Atanarjuat and Amaqjuart have a good life and are very close to each other. Atanarjuat is in love with Atuat, but she is promised to Oki, who is willing to fight for her. In the meantime, Oki's sister, Puja, is interested in Atanarjuat. The events develop and we get to see the special rules they use in their "duels" and their customs regarding marriages. When a severe tragedy knocks on the door, the adventure picks up in pace and the interest of the audience is grabbed until the end without letting go. Except for the painfully slow pace at the beginning, this is a highly enjoyable movie. Nevertheless, you have to be in the mood to sit down for three hours and be patient until the events turn into something really interesting. Apart from the story in this particular case, I enjoyed learning about the uses and culture of this society, about which I knew very little. The other remarkable aspect is the photography, which is absolutely stunning! Overall, I think it is a creation worth seeing, but you have to carefully pick the moment to do so.
Rating:
Summary: MOVIE AROUND THE FIRE
Review: What have I gotten myself into? I'm watching valiant but impossible acting, undoubtedly by some amateurs, in a movie about modern tribal people in the Arctic Circle that is ... videotaped? Where's the Cinerama? This is slow-going. I'm checking the screen to insure I pressed the 'PLAY MOVIE' icon. Seems like an added feature. This is indeed, the movie. My eyes are getting bugged out by staring at the Arctic Circle on videotape. This is, I suppose what I would expect from people living in The Arctic Circle. A lot of sitting around in igloos. Hunting fresh meat. Cleaning fresh kill. You can't very well take people like this and expect them to act. A story begins to emerge, as if being told in a nightime story session igloo sit-around. I'm staring into the fire listening and watching the penetraing light and relieving shadows. It's a love story. Guy wants girl but girl's father not so sure. Ouch! Did that guy just kick that sled dog? Where's the injured animal disclaimer? That dog yelped in pain. This is ... too real. Another dog snarls and bites. Will somebody please wipe the snot off that baby's nose? Some of these performances start becoming sharply defined. I'm rooting for the hero and hissing at the villain. Let me review. I'm watching genuine Arctic tribal people acting in front of a camera in their own environment, outreaching the boundries of moviedom by claiming the story told and handed down through ages is the human possession of the heart, and the only reality. The sad, shocking revelation in the closing credits make it all too, too real. I'm all over the internet trying to find information about this wonderful movie.
Rating:
Summary: "Only Atanarjuat runs like that"
Review: This is one of those movies that start out really slow, but if you hang in there and make it through the first forty-five minutes, you will end up satisfied. In my opinion the creators of "The Fast Runner" use the slow pace in the movie as a reflection of the speed at which life moves in the Inuit tribe on which the story focuses. The movie starts when a demon visits an Inuit group and curses them. At this time, Tulimag is having trouble to feed his family and already starts receiving a treatment that is not the "usual" this society gives to its members. Eskimos are known for their generosity and solidarity, but Tulimag becomes the object of ridicule and he is only given the leftovers from the food the others get. Years later, his two sons are well respected and some of the best hunters in the group. Atanarjuat and Amaqjuart have a good life and are very close to each other. Atanarjuat is in love with Atuat, but she is promised to Oki, who is willing to fight for her. In the meantime, Oki's sister, Puja, is interested in Atanarjuat. The events develop and we get to see the special rules they use in their "duels" and their customs regarding marriages. When a severe tragedy knocks on the door, the adventure picks up in pace and the interest of the audience is grabbed until the end without letting go. Except for the painfully slow pace at the beginning, this is a highly enjoyable movie. Nevertheless, you have to be in the mood to sit down for three hours and be patient until the events turn into something really interesting. Apart from the story in this particular case, I enjoyed learning about the uses and culture of this society, about which I knew very little. The other remarkable aspect is the photography, which is absolutely stunning! Overall, I think it is a creation worth seeing, but you have to carefully pick the moment to do so.
Rating:
Summary: Great film experience
Review: What made this story so great was its span over generations, showing many ways in which people conspire against eachother, and the many ways people respond to others' conspiracies. I did have to rewind a little to make sure I knew who was who in the big scheme of things, and make sure I understood what was going on, but overall, this film is easy to digest for anyone with some intelligence and curiosity. Aside from the power of the story itself, the sensual experience of watching the film was totally novel, it being set in Igloolik 1000 years ago. The cast did a great job.
Rating:
Summary: Amateurish movie, but powerful material.
Review: Well, I've just finished watching Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner, and my impressions are as follows: Most of the time, the movie doesn't feel like it's shot by a professional. I think the director has yet to break away from his "documentary" style (his previous movies were all documentaries); much of the movie feels like it was shot in one take. Director Zacharias Kunuk shows a skill for shooting balanced landscape compositions (perhaps he should watch some of Russian director Tarkovsky's movies for further inspiration?), but the shots tend to be a bit awkward most of the time because of the aforementioned one-take shooting. He also shows remarkable restraint in using the zoom function of the camera, even in parts where it could have dramatically improved the look of certain scenes. The very beginning of this movie is indeed, as many have mentioned, rather confusing. Perhaps it would have been better to have a narrator or some text telling the viewers what was happening, because as it was it was very difficult to understand. Kunuk makes the mistake of assuming the audience knows as much as he knows, and therefore doesn't explain what is happening as throughly as he should have. For example, how are viewers supposed to know that the necklace made of bones is worn by the chief, and that what is shown in the beginning is the ceremony for the choosing of the chief? Despite all of this however, the movie shines with what can best be described as a passion for the subject matter. The director seems to truly feel for his culture and characters, and he shows it in the movie. He shows us all of the realities of the life of the Inuit with an understanding of someone who was born to it; the drudgery of chores, the sex life (this movie is NOT for children), life in the winter and in the summer. Despite the distracting shooting style, I soon became drawn into the movie simply through the power of the scenarios and the actors (who seemed to get better as the movie progressed). Even with some amateurish errors here and there (eg. how come Amaqjuat doesn't even scream when a spear is supposedly inserted into him through the tent?), this is a powerful movie. I hope it is not Zacharias Kunuk's last; he shows a lot of promise as a director.
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