ATANARJUAT: THE FAST RUNNER (2001)
- Run Time: 161 min.
- Rating: AA
- Director: Zacharias Kunuk
Stills
Plot Summary
Based on an ancient Inuit legend, Atanarjuat is an epic tale of love, betrayal and revenge, all set in motion when a mysterious shaman summons an evil spirit to spread violence and chaos in the village of Igloolik.
Years later, the beautiful Atuat (Sylvia Ivalu) has been promised to the short-fused Oki (Peter-Henry Arnatsiaq), the son of the leader of the tribe. However, Atuat loves the good-natured Atanarjuat (Natar Ungalaaq), known as the Fast Runner, and one of the best hunters among his people. When Atanarjuat is forced to battle the jealous Oki for Atuat’s hand, a tragic series of events begins to unfold and Atanarjuat must make decisions that will determine not only his own fate, but that of his people.
The first film shot in Inuktitut, the language of the Inuit peoples, Atanarjuat won 20 awards, including eight Genies and the Camera D’Or at the 2001 Cannes film festival.
“I am not surprised that The Fast Runner has been a box office hit in its opening engagements. It is unlike anything most audiences will ever have seen, and yet it tells a universal story.” — Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
About the Director
Zacharias Kunuk
Kunuk is a Canadian Inuit director and producer well known for Atanarjuat, the first Canadian dramatic feature film produced completely in Inuktitut. His second feature, The Journals of Knud Rasmussen, opened the Toronto International Film Festival in 2006.
