Atanarjuat (or The Fast Runner) is a Canadian film, released in 2001. It was the first feature film ever written, directed and acted entirely in Inuktitut, the language of Canada's Inuit people, and was directed by Zacharias Kunuk.
The plot is based on an Inuit legend passed down through centuries of oral tradition. It is set in Igloolik, an Inuit community riven by the bitter rivalry between Atanarjuat (Natar Ungalaaq ) and Oki (Peter-Henry Arnatsiaq ), rivals for the hand of Atuat (Sylvia Ivalu ) in marriage. After Atanarjuat wins Atuat's love, Oki commits an act of revenge, attacking Atanarjuat and his brother Amaqjuaq (Pakkak Innushuk ) in their sleep on a hunting trip. Amaqjuaq is killed, but Atanarjuat escapes with the help of his unique talent: he is a fast runner, so fast that even Oki's dog sleds can't keep up.
Following his escape, Atanarjuat must embark on a journey of spiritual awareness before returning to Igloolik.
The film was Canada's top-grossing release of 2002, beating the commercial release Men With Brooms.
In 2004, the film was named to the Toronto International Film Festival's TIFF List of Canada's Top Ten Films of All Time.
Awards
Atanarjuat was one of the most successful Canadian films in history on the film festival awards scene. Awards listed in bold were won by the film. Awards not bolded are ones for which the film was nominated, but did not win.
- American Indian Film Festival, 2002 - Best Film, Best Actor, Best Actress
- Banff Mountain Film Festival , 2002 - Best Feature Film
- Cannes Film Festival, 2001 - Golden Camera
- Chicago Film Critics Association, 2003 - Best Foreign Language Film, Most Promising Director
- Cinemanila International Film Festival , 2002 - Lino Brocka Award
- Edinburgh International Film Festival, 2001 - Guardian Award for Best New Director (co-winner)
- Flanders International Film Festival , 2001 - Golden Spur, FIPRESCI Prize
- Genie Awards, 2002 - Best Motion Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Music - Original Score, Best Editing, Claude Jutra Award, Best Costume Design, Best Sound
- Golden Trailer Awards , 2003 - Best Independent Film
- Hawaii International Film Festival, 2001 - Special Mention in the Best Feature Film category
- ImagineNATIVE Media Arts Festival , 2001 - Best Film
- Independent Spirit Awards, 2003 - Best Foreign Film
- Lake Placid Film Forum , 2002 - Audience Award
- Montreal International Film Festival , 2001 - Special Jury Prize, Prix du Public
- Newport International Film Festival , 2002 - Audience Award for Best Feature
- NextFest Digital Motion Picture Festival , 2001 - CTV Best of Fest Award
- Online Film Critics Society , 2002 - Best Foreign Language Film
- San Diego International Film Festival , 2002 - Festival Award for Best Feature Film
- Santa Fe Film Festival , 2001 - Luminaria for Best Feature Film
- Toronto Film Critics Association , 2002 - Best Canadian Film, Best First Feature
- Toronto International Film Festival, 2001 - Best Canadian Feature Film
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