Atanarjuat the Fast Runner

I was fortunate to see this as a part the MIFF nearly 25 years ago. I still think about this film, and have rewatched it several times in the years since. It received a standing ovation, and after the near 3 hour run time I think every single person in the theatre was as spell bound and awestruck as myself, and would have gladly sat down and simply watched it again right then and there. Watch this film if you ever get the chance.

A great perspective of Inuit culture that we would not usually get the chance to see.

Got the point very well. I can say this movie is not like the none of regular movie. Special movie.

Shows us real huge difference of culture

In my opinion, the movie uses very good camera and audio visual equipment and the crew members and the filmmakers have played their roles very well. I really liked it.

It's a completely different culture for most of us, at a completely different time, too. But you'll connect with the characters in this story because they're going through the same human issues, just that there's snow and ice and ingenious ways of surviving and carrying the next generation forward.

One of my favourite movies. A timeless story ;)

Acting? Who's acting? We have gone back 1,000 years with a time machine and had the unique privilege to "chill" (intentional pun) with the medieval Inuit. The genuineness of this production feels real. This could never be done in Hollywood. I wonder how Steven Spielberg would react to watching this film, as it is the antithesis of his being. I suspect he could give the producers and directors many valuable production tips and filming techniques that could have provided a better end product. However, this may have come at a cost of the film's bare authenticity. I also believe Spielberg would smile while watching this film and would actually influence him, if that could even be possible at this stage of his career. The closest attempt for the big studios to depict genuine early civilization was Quest For Fire, despite plotlines that are separated by tens of thousands of years. However, even Quest For Fire felt somewhat Hollywood-ish. A unique, low budget, historical Canadian film set in what is today the territory of Nunavat. This must be the greatest Canadian Aboriginal film of all time. It is the 1st film ever to be written, acted and directed by Inuit. It is also spoken in the Inuit language, and has subtitles. It portrays a old Inuit story passed down through the centuries. The fascinating part of this film is that this is a very realistic portrayal of how a group of Inuit families lived 1,000 years ago. The depiction is honest and historically accurate. The desolation of their environment is as equally fascinating. As a Canadian, this film is especially interesting to me because it represents a historical snapshot of a period and place that has been portrayed rarely, if ever. The film could not have been made if it wasn't for the financial assistance of the governments, as it is not a typical commercial venture that relies on the studio and marketing machine of Hollywood, Bollywood and similar production networks. This may be difficult for most audiences to watch, due to the low budget camera work alone. It is long. The acting is honest. This doesn't feel like watching a film at all. It seems as though the viewer is simply an observer to general everyday going ons in the Arctic with the Inuit 1,000 years ago. It could have been 10 hours long and felt the same way. The film will help educate foreigners on how integral the seal hunt was to early Inuit for survival and why it is embedded into our Canadian culture, notwithstanding its necessity today. It makes you wonder and respect how incredible it is that the early Inuit could live in such a cold and desolate environment. .

Interesting and compelling little Canadian movie about the Inuit at the turn of the millennium. Has all the elements ... love, betrayal and revenge. Great cinematography, solid storytelling. And, my heavens, how difficult conditions must have been in the frigid north for the Inuit.

This movie definitely won't be for everyone, but if you really like original films. This is one of a kind. Nothing even comes to mind as being remotely similar. It's just so raw and beautiful and authentic. Definitely on my list of films to buy on DVD now.