NFB - Collection

Résumé

Following its success at the Cannes Film Festival, where it captured the Golden Camera Prize for first-time directors, the Isuma Igloolik/NFB co-production Atanarjuat - The Fast Runner received the Toronto-City Award for Best Canadian Feature Film at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Director Zacharias Kunuk has adapted an Inuit legend, which tells the story of a small community of nomadic Inuit whose lives are disrupted when an unknown shaman creates rivalries between families.

Twenty years pass. Two brothers emerge to challenge the evil order: Amaqjuaq, the Strong One, and Atanarjuat, the Fast Runner. Atanarjuat wins the hand of the lovely Atuat away from the boastful son of the camp leader, Oki, who vows to get even. Oki ambushes the brothers in their sleep, killing Amaqjuaq, as Atanarjuat miraculously escapes running naked over the spring sea ice.

But can he ever escape the cycle of vengeance left behind?

Atanarjuat - The Fast Runner was written by Paul Apak Angilirq and stars Natar Ungalaaq in the title role.

The NFB's Aboriginal Filmmaking Program was established in 1996 and allocates funds to productions or co-productions directed by independent Aboriginal filmmakers. At the end of the 2000-2001 fiscal year, 22 NFB productions and co-productions by 18 different filmmakers have been completed through the Program.

The film's producers are Zacharias Kunuk, Norman Cohn and Paul Apak Angilirq (Igloolik Isuma Productions), and Germaine Wong (NFB). The executive producer for the NFB is Sally Bochner.

2000, 161 min 08 s