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Atanarjuat the Fast Runner

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Atanarjuat the Fast Runner

R

Released Jun 7, 2002

2h 48m

Adventure

Drama

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Popcornmeter

93%

Tomatometer

132 Reviews

83%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

A depiction of the Inuit people of the Canadian arctic, telling the story of a crime that ruptures the trust within a closely knit group and how justice is achieved and healing begins.

Critics Consensus

An Inuit story finally told by Inuit filmmakers, The Fast Runner has the breadth and pacing of ancient myth while also feeling vitally alive.

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Sheila Norman-Culp

Associated Press

Natar Ungalaaq, a well-known Inuit sculptor and actor, is impishly appealing as Atanarjuat, a hunter perhaps too besotted with his own talents. In his first acting role, Peter-Henry Arnatsiaq is menacing as Oki.

Nov 8, 2023

Full Review

Jack Mathews

New York Daily News

Not only one of the most intriguing feature-film projects in decades and enough plain-spoken anthropology for three credits at Harvard, but one of the most flat-out entertaining movies of the year.

Rated: 4/4

Nov 8, 2023

Full Review

Robert Philpot

Fort Worth Star-Telegram/DFW.com

If anything, it should accomplish its mission of making people curious about this rarely filmed culture.

Rated: 3.5/4

Nov 8, 2023

Full Review

Jeet Heer

National Post

While the film's scenery may seem uninhabitably otherworldly, the central narrative of revenge and forgiveness has an elemental, human appeal.

Rated: 3/4

Nov 8, 2023

Full Review

Mark Lepage

Montreal Gazette

Kunuk's cameras send back pictures of alarming visual clarity. For every moment when the film seems most what it is -- a directorial debut -- there are three moments both ancient and human.

Rated: 3/5

Nov 8, 2023

Full Review

Jay Stone

Ottawa Citizen

Natar Ungalaaq is especially good as the title character; his naked run, a Northern Exposure of the trust kind deserves some kind of award, if not medal for bravery.

Rated: 4/5

Nov 8, 2023

Full Review

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esl teacher daim T

I was fortunate to see this as a part the MIFF nearly 25 years ago. I still think about this film, and have rewatched it several times in the years since. It received a standing ovation, and after the near 3 hour run time I think every single person in the theatre was as spell bound and awestruck as myself, and would have gladly sat down and simply watched it again right then and there. Watch this film if you ever get the chance.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/18/25

Full Review

Gabby B

A great perspective of Inuit culture that we would not usually get the chance to see.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/15/24

Full Review

Munkhchimeg T

Got the point very well. I can say this movie is not like the none of regular movie. Special movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/07/24

Full Review

Geke g

Shows us real huge difference of culture

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/06/24

Full Review

Bahad j

In my opinion, the movie uses very good camera and audio visual equipment and the crew members and the filmmakers have played their roles very well. I really liked it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/06/24

Full Review

tex t

It's a completely different culture for most of us, at a completely different time, too. But you'll connect with the characters in this story because they're going through the same human issues, just that there's snow and ice and ingenious ways of surviving and carrying the next generation forward.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/14/24

Full Review

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Zacharias Kunuk

Director

Natar Ungalaaq

Atanarjuat

Sylvia Ivalu

Atuat

Peter-Henry Arnatsiaq

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Synopsis

A depiction of the Inuit people of the Canadian arctic, telling the story of a crime that ruptures the trust within a closely knit group and how justice is achieved and healing begins.

Director: Zacharias Kunuk
Producer: Paul Apak Angilirq, Norman Cohn, Zacharias Kunuk
Screenwriter: Paul Apak Angilirq
Distributor: Lot 47 Films
Rating: R (Some Sexuality|Some Nudity|Violence)
Genre: Adventure, Drama
Original Language: Inuktitut
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 7, 2002, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 5, 2018
Box Office (Gross USA): $3.8M
Runtime: 2h 48m
Sound Mix: Dolby Stereo, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Surround, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)