In 1919 and 1920, a courageous young filmmaker named Robert Flaherty set out for the frozen north of Canada, Inuit (Eskimo) country, and filmed the first successfull documentary feature Nanook of the North. In doing so, he enormously increased awareness of the frozen wastes in the north of Canada, and produced a film of haunting beauty. This drama recreates his journey, and shows how Flaherty (Charles Dance) persuaded a young Inuit named Nanook (Adamie Quasiak Inupuk) to hunt for him in the old ways, foregoing the advantages of a rifle. The two men faced many amazing dangers along the way, and saw many extraordinary sights. One of the more striking images captured in this film is an encounter with a herd of walrus. This film, like the one which inspired it, casts Inuit people in all Inuit roles - not a common filmmaking practice even today. When the Inuit language is being spoken, the film provides English subtitles.
by Clarke Fountain
synopsis
