The Journals of Knud Rasmussen
The Journals of Knud Rasmussen is the first film to visualize the Christianization of indigenous people from their own point of view.
Read the Reviews
Edmonton Journal "Journals explores 'cultural genocide' of shamanism" Mari Sasano, October 6th
"The writing/directing team of Norman Cohn and Zacharias Kunuk astonished audiences around the world with their debut feature film, Atanarjuat The Fast Runner. Made in 2001, it won the Camera d'Or at Cannes for that year and was the first feature film written, produced and performed in the Inuit language, Inuktitut. The film (which was actually shot on digital video and later transferred to film) portrayed a semi-mythical story of love and revenge, showing life in the Arctic with its endlessly wide landscapes and clear skies."
Eye Weekly "Ideal Of North" Jason Anderson, September 28th
"Complemented by the movie's visceral thrills and unprecedented views of the north, the strategy presented a challenge that was unique, enthralling and richly rewarding. The novelty of that first encounter can never be repeated. Yet five years later, the filmmakers return with a challenge that will startle even Atanarjuat's admirers. "This is like going to a graduate school," says Cohn of The Journals of Knud Rasmussen in an interview with him and Kunuk the day before their movie opened the Toronto International Film Festival. "A lot of people will come to this film believing they've already been there and therefore know what to expect. But our goal was that you should have the same level of challenge and surprise this time as you did last time."
The Province "A look at traditional Inuit life" Glen Schaefer, September 29th
"'Colourful' might seem an odd word to describe the snow-bound story told in The Journals of Knud Rasmussen
But the second feature from co-directors Zacharias Kunuk and Norman Cohn (Atanarjuat: the Fast Runner) moves at its own organic pace to flesh out the lives of a group of Inuit in the early decades of the last century, as they shift from shamanism to Christianity."
Atanarjuat The Fast Runner
“Mysterious, bawdy, emotionally intense, and replete with virtuoso throat singing, this three-hour movie is engrossing from first image to last, so devoid of stereotype and cosmic in its vision it could suggest the rebirth of cinema.”
“Nothing less than a complete revelation and reinvention of cinematic form…. a definite ‘must-see’.”
"An astonishing epic film"