Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner

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.

Director: Zacharias Kunuk

Cast

Natar Ungalaaq

Atanarjuat

S

Sylvia Ivalu

Atuat

P

Peter-Henry Arnatsiaq

Oki

L

Lucy Tulugarjuk

Puja

Pakak Innuksuk

Amaqjuaq (as Pakkak Innushuk)

M

Madeline Ivalu

Panikpak

P

Pauloosie Qulitalik

Qulitalik / A shaman (as Paul Qulitalik)

E

Eugene Ipkarnak

Sauri, the chief