Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner (2001)
25KAtanarjuat: The Fast Runner (2001). 2h 52m | R
“How many times have you heard this philosophy in film: `All I have is memoryu0026#39;? `The Fast Runneru0026#39; is just such a memory film of the Iglooik people telling a 1000 year-old story of feuding brothers, unfaithful wives, and patricide most foul. The beginning voiceover says, u0026quot;I can only say this story to someone who understands it.u0026quot; u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eIf it sounds like `King Learu0026#39; or `Hamlet,u0026#39; itu0026#39;s not quite Shakespeare but close. It is as close to todayu0026#39;s internecine and global wars as any other movie you will see this year. u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eSet against the vast, frozen, flat, brilliantly-lit Arctic Circle, this tragic tale slowly reveals a small family circle that must deal with their crimes without the help of kings or counselors or cops. They have only themselves, and despite that, or perhaps because of it, they must work out solutions that not only do not disintegrate the circle but also mete out the punishment satisfactorily.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eA naked man running for his life for 15 hours over the frozen tundra is an enduring image; two men alternately hitting each other in the face, waiting for the blows, is as unusual a fight scene as you will ever see. Itu0026#39;s all a part of the heavily ritualized culture, where breaking from the norm is a critical occurrence. Everyone sleeping in the same tent lends a new meaning to family unity. Forgiveness for heinous crime is a lesson still to be learned by far more advanced cultures.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eI was moved by the grandeur of last yearu0026#39;s epic `Himalaya.u0026#39; This yearu0026#39;s extraordinary `Fast Runneru0026#39; has given that film a run for its money. The humanity of the characters, both good and bad, and the dazzlingly vistas make this film memorable. Donu0026#39;t miss the outtakes at the closing credits and the shots of the very modern actors who so convincingly play first-millennium Inuits.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003e`The Fast Runneru0026#39; deserved the Camera du0026#39;OR for best first film at Cannes.”
