Review of Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner (2002) by Private U — 26 Nov 2008

Fascinating.

I really enjoyed this film for two reasons, firstly as a good piece of entertainment and secondly as a new experience in world cinema.

It has an enjoyable, simple story with interesting and sympathetic characters. It is both amusing and sad. The mythical quality of the story takes over more in the second half of the film, and the film concludes so that tradition (made up jointly of magic and human wisdom) is upheld and good overcomes evil.

It is well acted, largely by non-actors, the dialogue is in their native language and it is all filmed on location in the real harsh climate and extreme weather conditions. The photography of the people, the scenery and animals is beautiful. I found just watching their faces and hearing their language fascinating, as were the beautiful costumes of made up of layers of fur and the food which seemed to be almost solely raw frozen meat.

So the film, as well as being very entertaining, is a not-seen-before insight into Inuit (historic) culture and their way of life. Indeed the first half an hour or so (before you get immersed in the plot and characters) almost has a documentary feel to it as you are introduced to the culture.

This film is slow-paced and quite long but I watched it over two evenings and I don't think it could have been any shorter.

As a film it really is something completely new and refreshing, an enjoyable and fascinating watch.