The Fast Runner (Atanarjuat)
Release Date:
June 7, 2002
Limited release
This Canadian film is the first feature film in the native language of the Inuit people. For those of you that don't know Inuktitut, there are English subtitles provided.
The story takes place many hundreds of years ago in the settlement of Igloolik, near the Arctic Circle. It is based on an ancient Inuit legend. Our story's hero, Atanarjuat the Fast Runner (Natar Ungalaaq), has fallen in love with Atuat (Sylvia Ivalu), but she is already promised to Oki (Peter Henry Arnatsiaq). Of course, Oki is going to fight for the one who is his. Oki ends up killing Atanarjuat's brother, but Atanarjuat himself manages to escape the attack. He ends up running naked across the vast landscape of the Arctic and takes refuge with a kind family of hermits.
This film is receiving the highest praise from audiences and critics alike. It has already won numerous awards, including the Golden Camera Award for best first feature film at the 2001 Cannes International Film Festival and the Best Picture Award at the 2001 Genie Awards, the equivalent of the Academy Awards in Canada. If you get a chance to see this film, don't miss it. (Marty Doskins/BOP)
Vital statistics for The Fast Runner (Atanarjuat) |
Main Cast |
Natar Ungalaaq, Sylvia Ivalu, Peter-Henry Arnatsiaq, Lucy Tulugarjuk, Madeline Ivalu, Pauloosie Qulitalik, Eugene Ipkarnak, Pakkak Innukshuk |
Supporting Cast |
Neeve Irngaut, Abraham Ulayuruluk, Apayata Kotierk, Mary Qulitalik, Luke Taqqaujaq, Alex Uttak, Eric Nutarariaq |
Director |
Zacharias Kunuk |
Screenwriter |
Paul Apak Angilirq |
Distributor |
Lot 47 Films |
Trailer |
Click Here for Trailer
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Official Site |
http://lot47.com/thefastrunner/ |
Rating |
R |
Running Time |
172 minutes |
Screen Count |
56 |
Awards |
Golden Camera, 2001 Cannes Film Festival
New Director's Award, 2001 Edinburgh International Film Festival
Claude Jutra Award, 2002 Genie Awards
Best Motion Picture, 2002 Genie Awards
Best
Awards page for The Fast Runner (Atanarjuat)
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Talent in red has entry in The Big Picture |
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