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Atanarjuat the Fast Runner

Play trailer Poster for Atanarjuat the Fast Runner R 2002 2h 48m Adventure Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
93% Tomatometer 132 Reviews 82% 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.
Atanarjuat the Fast Runner

What to Know

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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Critics Reviews

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Sheila Norman-Culp Associated Press Nov 8, 2023
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. Go to Full Review Jack Mathews New York Daily News Nov 8, 2023
4/4
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. Go to Full Review Robert Philpot Fort Worth Star-Telegram/DFW.com Nov 8, 2023
3.5/4
If anything, it should accomplish its mission of making people curious about this rarely filmed culture. Go to Full Review Jeet Heer National Post Nov 8, 2023
3/4
While the film's scenery may seem uninhabitably otherworldly, the central narrative of revenge and forgiveness has an elemental, human appeal. Go to Full Review Mark Lepage Montreal Gazette Nov 8, 2023
3/5
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. Go to Full Review Jay Stone Ottawa Citizen Nov 8, 2023
4/5
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. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Scott R @ScottR Oct 5, 2025 NYT 1000 movies list. a simple tale that takes on Eskimo themes of love, betrayal, and forgiveness. It was a bit tedious. SLC DVD. See more esl teacher daim T @RT68665042 Feb 18, 2025 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. See more Munkhchimeg T @RT64187897 Aug 6, 2024 Got the point very well. I can say this movie is not like the none of regular movie. Special movie. See more Geke g @RT40239519 Aug 6, 2024 Shows us real huge difference of culture See more Bahad j @RT27093708 Aug 6, 2024 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. See more tex t @RT86584448 Jan 31, 2021 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. See more Read all reviews
Atanarjuat the Fast Runner

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Zacharias Kunuk

Director

Natar Ungalaaq

Atanarjuat

Sylvia Ivalu

Atuat

Peter-Henry Arnatsiaq

Oki

Lucy Tulugarjuk

Puja

Pakak Innuksuk

Amaqjuaq

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Atanarjuat the Fast Runner

Lead female actor Sylvia Ivalu (Atuat) and Bernice Ivalu (baby Kumaglak) in ATANARJUAT (THE FAST RUNNER). Lead actor Natar Ungalaaq as Atanarjuat in ATANARJUAT (THE FAST RUNNER). Lead actor Natar Ungalaaq (Atanarjuat) with Pakkak Innukshuk (Amaqjuaq) in ATANARJUAT (THE FAST RUNNER). Scriptwriter Paul Apak Angilirq and Director Zacharias Kunuk on the set of ATANARJUAT (THE FAST RUNNER). Director Zacharias Kunuk of ATANARJUAT (THE FAST RUNNER). Cinematographer Norman Cohn of ATANARJUAT (THE FAST RUNNER). Lead female actors Lucie Tulugarjuk (Puja) and Madeline Ivalu (Panikpak) in ATANARJUAT (THE FAST RUNNER). Atanarjuat the Fast Runner (2001) View more photos

Movie Info

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)
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