Reviewed June 16, 2004

This film is two hours fifty-two minutes long. It is in the Inuktitut language with English subtitles. It takes place in a barren, treeless landscape where the temperature seems to vary between cold and extremely cold. It has a complicated plot worthy of a classical Greek Tragedy. But don't be misled by all this - it is a wonderful film, unique and fascinating.

Set in the far north (the eastern arctic) in a time before the coming of the white man, the story revolves around the tensions between two Inuit family groups that give rise to pride and jealousy, murder and rape. It is the retelling of an ancient Inuit myth. Screenplay, director, producer and actors are all Inuit.

The pace of the film is slow and plot development is subtle, in keeping with the pace of the culture, but it is never boring. We are drawn in to what it must have been like to live in that culture and time. In itself this would be an worthy achievement, but fine performances enacting a powerful and timeless story raise this film far above what a documentary might achieve. An extraordinary film. I recommend it highly.

Visit the official website atanarjuat.com for good background information on the making of the film and on the storyline and locale. (Review by Brian Horne - all rights reserved.)

In the USA