"Creates another planet to unfamiliar eyes…. One of the most erotic Canadian films ever!" — Katrina Onstad, The National Post 

"Mysterious, bawdy, emotionally intense, and replete with virtuoso throat singing, this three-hour movie is engrossing from first image to last, so devoid of stereotype and cosmic in its vision it could suggest the rebirth of cinema." — Jim Hoberman, Village Voice 

Zacharias Kunuk's first Inuktitut-language feature and multi-award winning film, Atanarjuat (The Fast Runner), will be screened as part of MOVING PICTURES and the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television's Canadian Classics film series on Thursday, April 19, at 7:30 pm at the Vancity Theatre (1181 Seymour Street). Actor Natar Ungalaaq (who is also a filmmaker and a well-known Inuit sculptor, whose artwork is in many major collections of Inuit art worldwide), will be a special guest at the screening, to discuss the development of the filmmaking industry in Igloolik that led to Atanajurat.  Before playing the lead role of Atanarjuat, Natar played major roles in other Canadian and American films, including Kabloonak, Glory and Honor, and Frostfire. 

A strikingly beautiful film that brought visual life to the oral storytelling tradition of the Canadian north, Atanarjuat (The Fast Runner)  is one of Canada's most celebrated cinematic achievements. "Atanarjuat is a universal story with emotions people all over the world can understand", says Zacharias Kunuk, director and producer.  "It is also totally Inuit: a story we all heard as children, told and acted by Inuit."  Drawing on an 11th Century Inuit legend as passed down by generations, the film weaves a myth of love, betrayal and revenge as brothers Atanarjuat (Natar Ungalaaq) and Amaqjuaq (Pakak Innuksuk) run afoul of Oki (Peter-Henry Arnatsiaq), the son of the tribe leader, after Atanarjuat marries Oki's promised bride (Sylvia Ivalu). When Oki attempts to kill the pair, only fleet-footed Atanarjuat escapes, and through the help of others, returns to camp to face his brother's murderer.  

With meticulously recreated historical settings and props, the Inuktitut-language film became a critical and popular success on release, winning the coveted Caméra d'Or at Cannes in 2001.  Winner of 6 Genie Awards (including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Original Score, Best Editing, and Claude Jutra), Atanarjuat was Canada's official foreign-language selection for the Academy Awards. 

This event also marks the 10th Anniversary of the Audio-Visual Preservation Trust of Canada, a charitable non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the preservation of Canada?s audio-visual heritage, and to facilitating access to and usage of regional and national collections through partnerships with members of the audio-visual community.  This presentation was made possible by funding provided through the Heritage Policy Branch of the Department of Canadian Heritage and with the assistance of the Audio-Visual Preservation Trust of Canada. 

Canadian Classics is a monthly series highlighting award-winning Canadian films from the past.  Each screening will be followed by a discussion on the making of the film and its impact on Canadians and the industry.  Other screenings in the series at the Vancouver International Film Centre will be: Double Happiness (May 31) and Bye Bye Blues (June 21). 

For ticket reservations: email dorothy_s@telus.net or call 604-684-4528 by April 18.  For more info:  www.movingpictures.ca or  www.academy.ca 

Moving Pictures is generously sponsored by: Telefilm Canada; Audiovisual Preservation Trust of Canada; Heritage Policy Branch of the Department of Canadian Heritage; Canada Council for the Arts; BC Film; BC Arts Council; Union of BC Performers; Directors Guild of Canada; and the National Film Board.  Media sponsors: CBC Television,  The Georgia Straight; Radio-Canada Television, CBC Radio One, CBC Radio Two, La Source and 97.7 Première Chaîne. MOVING PICTURES: CANADIAN FILMS ON TOUR. Bringing Canadian films and creative talent to your community. Watch it. Celebrate it. Learn about it.