Evil, in the form of an unknown shaman, divides the small community of Igloolik and upsets its balance and spirit. Twenty years pass and finally two brothers emerge to challenge the evil order: Amaqjuaq, the Strong One, and Atanarjuat, the Fast Runner (Natar Ungalaaq). Atanarjuat wins the hand of the lovely Atuat (Sylvia Ivalu) away from the boastful son of the camp leader, Oki, who vows to get even. Oki (Peter-Henry Arnatsiaq) ambushes the brothers in their sleep, killing the Strong One as Fast Runner miraculously escapes, running naked over the spring sea ice. Now faced with a dilemma between his feelings of love, vengeance and his concern for the health of his community, Fast Runner must deal with the sense of loss over his brother’s death, and find the strength to go on. Igloolik elders have kept the legend of ATANARJUAT alive for centuries, recounting to young Inuit the story about the dangers of setting personal desire above the needs of the group.

The first feature screenplay written in the Inuktitut language, ATANARJUAT’s smooth motion processing and true film resolution technology lets its audiences feel they are part of the action, witnessing first-hand the brilliant Arctic light and stark landscape of this symphonic marriage of sound and image. ATANARJUAT has been a film festival hit around the world.

"An astonishing epic film." – Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

"ATANARJUAT (THE FAST RUNNER) is a fascinating, spectacular experience. Zacharias Kunuk has delivered one of the most wonderful films of this year." – Critical Eye

"Enthralling... Atanarjuat is an epic tale of love, jealousy, murder, and revenge worthy of Greek tragedy. Non-professional actors and
authentic locations open a documentary window on an exotic world — while conjuring surreal, operatic images of horror and beauty…. The movie's ritual world is astonishing."
Brian D. Johnson, Maclean's

"As the first feature film in the Inuktitut language, Atanarjuat (The Fast Runner) is already a milestone, an unclassifiable mixture of drama — murder, adultery and supernatural forces — and a fascinating cultural document."
Liam Lacey, The Globe and Mail

"Destined to go down in Canadian film history as the surprise movie of 2001, and one of the best ever made in this country, Atanarjuat (The Fast Runner) is bold and emotionally generous. Full of surprises, it never limits itself by locking into one mode and never plays like one of those deadening films about Aboriginal people that stereotypes them as either nature gurus or booze-addled, gas-sniffing losers… [The film] connects with modern audiences, staging traditional Inuit life without getting pedantic or losing the riveting narrative rhythm."
Maurie Alioff, Take One Magazine

Fresh as the Arctic snow, Atanarjuat the Fast Runner is one of the most exciting new films to come along in years…an utterly original piece of cinema. While the film gives rich insights into a fascinating culture, it is of far more than anthropological interest. It is totally compelling, dramatic, accessible; it is as if you have known this story all your life. Atanarjuat seems to tap into a vein of narrative, a universal style of storytelling that deals with human fundamentals: love and hate, jealousy and pride, fear and exultation. The results feel refreshingly pure and simple, especially compared with the superficiality of much Hollywood product.
SF Said, London Daily Telegraph

[At Cannes] the dazzler from nowhere was Atanarjuat the Fast Runner. The locations are unsparingly harsh and beautiful. The camera work is stunning. The performances, all by Inuits, have a simple power that strikes us straight between the eyes, as fast and true as an arrow…. Atanarjuat speaks to today and of today. It depicts and celebrates a past that has bequeathed unchanged gifts to the present…. At the same time, it holds up a defiant paradigm to unthinking or insensitive progress. Telling stories of bygone times expresses the love of what made us, shaped us and can still teach us.
Nigel Andrews, The Financial Times of London