Movie Reviews

The Fast Runner (Atanarjuat)

This motion picture has a short running scene that allows Atanarjuat to escape a certain death as he runs naked across the ice. During the credits at the end of the film continue watching and be amazed at how this footage was captured by the film crew. Filmed in Canada and presented in the Inuktitut language this film, with a run time of 2 hours 52 minutes, premiered across Canada on April 12, 2001, then in Europe on May 13, 2001. The release date was limited to Los Angeles and New York City in the United States when it opened June 7, 2002. This production is Canada's Official Selection for Foreign Language Oscar and won 6 Genie Awards. Here is the story line: Evil in the form of a mysterious, unknown shaman enters a small community of nomadic Inuit and upsets its balance and spirit of cooperation. The stranger leaves behind a lingering curse of bitterness and discord: after the camp leader Kumaglak is murdered, the new leader Sauri drives his old rival Tulimaq down through mistreatment and ridicule. Years pass. Power begins to change when the resentful Tulimaq has two sons - Amaqjuaq, the Strong One, and Atanarjuat, the Fast Runner. As the camp's best hunters they provoke jealousy and rage in their rival, Oki, the leader's ill-tempered son. When Atanarjuat wins away Oki's promised wife-to-be, the beautiful Atuat, in a head punching competition, Oki vows to get even. Egged on by his intimidating father, Oki and his friends plot to murder both brothers while they sleep. Amaqjuaq is speared through their tent and killed, but Atanarjuat miraculously escapes, running naked for his life across the spring sea ice. Eluding his pursuers with supernatural help, Atanarjuat is hidden and nursed back to health by an old couple who themselves fled the evil camp years before. After an inner struggle to reclaim his spiritual path, and with the guidance of his elder advisor, Atanarjuat learns to face both natural and supernatural enemies, and heads home to rescue his family. Will he continue the bloody cycle of revenge, or restore harmony to the community?

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