Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner (2001)

November 10, 2022 6:55 AM

[TRAILER] Based on a local legend and set in an unknown era, it deals with universal themes of love, possessiveness, family, jealousy and power. Beautifully shot, and acted by Inuit people, it portrays a time when people fought duels by taking turns to punch each other until one was unconscious, made love on the way to the caribou hunt, ate walrus meat and lit their igloos with seal-oil lamps.

Directed and co-written by Canadian Inuk filmmaker Zacharias Kunuk.

This film is entirely in the Inuktitut language.

91% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. Often cited as one of the finest Canadian films ever made.

Currently available for digital rental in the US in a restored 2K edition via Apple or for free via the non-restored edition on Internet Archive. JustWatch listing.

posted by DirtyOldTown (8 comments total)

Presented as part of roolya_boolya's sponsored theme day, in which I'll be posting six movies with an Arctic/life in the polar circle/snowy theme. Donate $20 to MeFi and I'll post six movies on the theme of your choice, too!
posted by DirtyOldTown at 6:56 AM on November 10, 2022

The same filmmaker also remade The Searchers in Inuktitut in 2016. Also on Apple.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 7:21 AM on November 10, 2022 [3 favorites]

I love the hell out of this movie. Now I'll have to watch the Searchers remake.
posted by RakDaddy at 9:07 AM on November 10, 2022

I got to see this on the big screen at a film festival when it first came out. Gorgeous!!!
posted by theatro at 9:48 AM on November 10, 2022

I also saw it on the big screen and loved it!
posted by Lawn Beaver at 9:58 AM on November 10, 2022

I loved this movie when I saw it (on a big screen). What I wonder, though, is if I would have liked it with the original ending of the legend.
posted by acrasis at 3:06 PM on November 10, 2022

I still think of this movie.. so .. hard to come up with descriptors. Immersive. Beautiful. For me otherworldly.
posted by latkes at 7:07 PM on November 10, 2022

I've seen this a few times in the theatre, its a compelling film worth seeking out, but my favourite time was when I saw it at the Winnipeg Film Festival. I was seated behind a couple, Canadian dude and his German female friend, and he spent a lot of time explaining the Canadian symbolism used in commercials and short subjects that were shown prior to the film. Having to explain why Canadians use a water rodent as a symbol for our country is always ridiculous.
posted by Ashwagandha at 8:34 AM on November 14, 2022