Cheap The Fast Runner (Atanarjuat) (DVD) (Natar Ungalaaq, Sylvia Ivalu) (Zacharias Kunuk) Price

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Customer Reviews of The Fast Runner (Atanarjuat)

As the facts above suggest, the film makes you feel like watching an epic-scale tale that happened one thousand years ago, a kind of experience reading Homer. The story is about Atanarjuat and his clan, who live in Igloolik, Nunavut (northern part of today's Canada). After several generations stories (which include murders done off-screen), we meet young Atanarjuat and his elder brother Aamarjuaq. Atanarjuat falls in love with a girl named Atuat, but it was decided that she should be the bride of Uqi, vulger and rude son of the chief. They nevertheless marry, after Uqi's humiliating experience, and when Atanarjuat takes another wife Puja, who is frivolous, troubles ensue, which eventually bring misery, pain, and even death.

Though I admire the film's beauty and narrative strength, I should say the opening part is too confusing, filled with too many people's names. It sounds like Homer. If you have read "Illiad," you feel dismayed seeing too many characters names. "The Fast Runner" at first gives you similar feelings, but be patient. Everything gradually starts to be interesting, if you just follow the main four characters.

In the middle of the film, where you see most realistic violence done, you will never stop watching the story of the Fast Runner, who in fact must run fast for his life, on the thin icefield, completely naked. This is one of the most impressive chase scenes done on screen in the movie history. You never forget it.

The clothes and customes of the characters of the Inuits long time ago are re-produced, and the film, I am afraid, shows too much of them, but maybe I just didn't understand some part of the customs they follow. They are all interesting, but of course you know that the today's Inuits are not living the way the film depicts (their modern life can be inferred from the end credits, where you can see how they shot the film, using snow-mobiles).

The film is sometimes hard to follow -- for example, Atanarjuat taking two wives, the custom that is no longer among the Inuits. The film is certainly too long (nearly 3 hours), but the beauty of the film is undeniable, and the natural presence of the characters is always fresh and engaging to see. They are no actors, but that doesn't matter. The film goes slowly, so you watch and enjoy it slowly too.

Zacharias Kunuk & co. Had to REALLY Want to Make This Movie!
Watching Fast Runner, I felt like a quiet member of the Inuit family sitting around a fire hearing this story and my imagination saw this film. This is masterful storytelling. The end credits document how much the filmmakers (actors and production people) wanted to bring this story to us in a medium we could understand. I was very cynical about my ability to like a movie this long in such a language. After 3 hours, I felt at home, covered in seal skins and my belly full of seal meat. My curiosity about what I didnÕt grasp has me researching this film and story. It is not for everybody, but, for the movie viewer who loves to seek truth from every culture and find another link in that human experience, 3 hours will almost seem too short. I donÕt know how well I would survive that north in Canada, but I have a vague idea how to survive because of this film. I will never complain about rolling blackouts again. What a hard life even if it has access to more modern amenities! To everyone involved in Fast Runner, THANK YOU!!!

not a must see
I am a bit confused as to why this movie has won so many awards and gotten all this great press. Is it because its a peek into the world of the Inuit? And it was written, acted and directed all by the Inuit? This alone does not allow for any concessions. It is a sincere effort, but its also quite amatuer. The bad guy is really bad and the good guy is really good(almost no character development). the camera work is awkward(cheesy zoom in's on actors' faces when we're supposed to grasp the dramatic moment). the acting stiff. the narrative is strange and hard to follow(all of a sudden he's got two wives!). and the length...yes long, but not really slow, it was neither compelling nor boring to watch. i am however quite interested in what the actors are up to these days. but hey, the movie is not a must see. you can pass this one up.