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Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner (Inuktitut syllabics: ᐊᑕᓈᕐᔪᐊᑦ (fonts required)) is a 2001 Canadian epic film directed by Inuit filmmaker Zacharias Kunuk and produced by his company Isuma Igloolik Productions. It was the first feature film ever to be written, directed and acted entirely in the Inuktitut language.
Set in the ancient past, the film retells an Inuit legend passed down through centuries of oral tradition. It revolves around the title character, whose marriage with his two wives earns him the animosity of the son of the band leader, who kills Atanarjuat's brother and forces Atanarjuat to flee by foot.
The film premiered at the 54th Cannes Film Festival in May 2001, and was released in Canada on 12 April 2002. A major critical success, Atanarjuat won the Caméra d'Or (Golden Camera) at Cannes, and six Genie Awards, including Best Motion Picture. Atanarjuat was also a commercial success, becoming Canada's top-grossing release of 2002, outperforming the mainstream comedy Men with Brooms. It grossed more than US$5 million worldwide. In 2015, a poll of filmmakers and critics in the Toronto International Film Festival named it the greatest Canadian film of all time.
Original Release
02/01/2002
US Release
06/07/2002
Cast
Name | Character |
---|
Natar Ungalaaq | Atanarjuat |
Sylvia Ivalu | Atuat |
Peter-Henry Arnatsiaq | Oki |
Lucy Tulugarjuk | Puja |
Madeline Ivalu | Panikpak |
Pauloosie Qulitalik | A shaman (as Paul Qulitalik) / Qulitalik / A shaman |
Eugene Ipkarnak | Sauri, the chief |
Pakak Innuksuk | Amaqjuaq (as Pakkak Innushuk) / Amaqjuaq |
Neeve Irngaut | Uluriaq |
Abraham Ulayuruluk | Tungajuaq |
Directors
Writers
Pauloosie Qulitalik, Herve Paniaq, Paul Apak Angilirq, Norman Cohn, Zacharias Kunuk
Cast
Name | Character |
---|
Natar Ungalaaq | Atanarjuat |
Sylvia Ivalu | Atuat |
Peter-Henry Arnatsiaq | Oki |
Lucy Tulugarjuk | Puja |
Madeline Ivalu | Panikpak |
Pauloosie Qulitalik | A shaman (as Paul Qulitalik) / Qulitalik / A shaman |
Eugene Ipkarnak | Sauri, the chief |
Pakak Innuksuk | Amaqjuaq (as Pakkak Innushuk) / Amaqjuaq |
Neeve Irngaut | Uluriaq |
Abraham Ulayuruluk | Tungajuaq |
Apayata Kotierk | Kumaglak |
Mary Qulitalik | Niriuniq |
Luke Taqqaugaq | Pittiulak |
Alex Uttak | Pakak |
Eric Nutarariaq | Young Sauri |
Stephen Qrunnut | Young Tulimaq |
Pipily Akkitirq | Young Pittaluk |
Mary Angutautuk | Young Panikpak |
Charlie Qulitalik | Young Qulitalik |
Atuat Akkitirq | Sauri's wife |
Producers
Name | Role |
---|
Sally Bochner | Executive Producer |
Paul Apak Angilirq | Producer |
Zacharias Kunuk | Producer |
Germaine Wong | Producer |
Sally Bochner | Producer |
Norman Cohn | Producer |